Island connections 782 FLN 49 by Island Connections Media Group

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1984-2016

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October 27 – November 9, 2016 TRAVEL

YOGA VIBE TENERIFE

HEALTH

SANTA CRUZ PORT

Lisbon & Porto package

Good vibrations

Drug smuggler arrested

Awaiting winter woes

Pages 14 & 15

Page 20

Page 21

Pages 36 & 37

NEIGHBOURHOOD PROTEST

Fighting for their homes

The fight continues for answers from the local council as the date approaches for the forced eviction of around 150 people in the borough of Candelaria. The 55 houses of the families affected are all in the Bajo La Cuesta coastal town, located under a steep cliff which, experts say, is in grave danger of collapsing. Many of the homes are also partly built into the rock. Residents have been given until October 27 to vacate their houses so that work can begin on shoring up the hillside. On this date both the water and electricity supplies to the residences will be disconnected.

EXCESSIVE POLLUTION

Congestion conundrum

Continued on page two

Santa Cruz has a high volume of traffic during key times of the day

Residents are protesting against the forced evictions as there are no concrete conditions for their return

Santa Cruz and Las Palmas recently rated highly in traffic volume and air pollution studies, prompting calls in Tenerife for a debate on limiting vehicle access to the city centre. The two Canarian capitals are certainly densely populated by provin-

cial standards, and even though Gran Canaria is the third largest island of the archipelago, its capital has the most residents compared to other Canarian cities and is ranked the ninth highest nationally. As of 2015, it is estimated that 379,766 people and 244,000

cars are registered in Las Palmas, and when taking into account the capital’s immediate catchment area, the number of inhabitants grows to over 600,000. In Santa Cruz there are 203,811 residents with 157,723 registered cars. This accounts for over 10 per cent of

all vehicles on the seven islands, and about 23 per cent of Tenerife’s overall tally. Out of the 2,421 buses operating in Tenerife, over half arrive to the capital, and in addition to the high number of Santa Cruz inhabitants, there is also a considerable commuter base travelling to the city every day for work. At key times of the day there are jams, tailbacks and slow-flowing traffic which make conditions very difficult for residents and visitors alike. There are two principal connections to Santa Cruz: the north and south motorways (TF5 and TF1) and both are overwhelmed at rush hour periods, with repeated calls from islanders to expand the number of lanes to ease congestion. Although the volume of traffic in Las Palmas is similar to that of Santa Cruz, only Tenerife authorities have opened the debate on limiting vehicle access to the city centre. Continued on page two

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

PARKING MAD!

Pollution polemic Continued from front page

Congestion debate The limited car access proposal came from the island council department for citizen and road safety and traffic management, headed by Zaida Candelaria González Rodríguez. However, both the mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, and island president, Carlos Alonso, have expressed surprise and prefer to not take a fixed position at this time. Local businesses responded with a resounding ‘no’ to the idea: “We are extremely shocked by this proposal when, amongst other things, we have been campaigning for the construction of parking spaces. For a long time we have been waiting for the confirmation of 1,200 spaces near the Plaza de España as well as three new sites in El Toscal, and now this idea has been thrown into the mix”, said José Manuel Ramos,

president of the Central Zone Association. “In 2013 we introduced a plan for free short-term parking for a maximum of 90 minutes to allow for rapid rotation, which was being discussed. This kind of solution is far more practical than restricting vehicle access to the city. We are not London or Paris! What Santa Cruz needs is more available parking and improved public transport services. Our capital is a cosmopolitan city and to tell tourists that they cannot drive to visit the city centre is an absolutely counterproductive suggestion, and will almost certainly badly hit shops and businesses there. More parking spaces would be a far better idea”, Ramos concluded. Even environmental groups are mixed on the subject of limiting vehicle access. Eustaquio Villalba, spokesperson for the Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN) said: “You cannot limit traffic without first

having a credible and practical alternative in place. Public transport services need to be cheaper and run more frequently”. The Ben Magec Federation also wants to see improved public transport to combat the overdependence of private car use but agrees that those services should be in place first. Groups in La Laguna are also demanding that more be done to ease congestion and parking problems in the town centre, with citizens groups involved in an online campaign calling for more parking and bike lanes.

A breath of not-so-fresh air The current debate, however, is not only about traffic congestion but also about air pollution and its health effects on residents. Nitrogen dioxide is a chemical compound with the formula NO2. It is an oxide of nitrogen and prominent air pollutant.

Retail areas, like the shopping district of Triana in Las Palmas, would suffer from limiting vehicles in the city centre

The Spanish capital, Madrid, has an NO 2 air level three times higher than the recommended limit of 180 micrograms per cubic metre. Despite the congestion charge, London comes in even higher. According to EU guidelines, the maximum hourly level of 200 micrograms should never be exceeded more than 18 times a year; however, the UK capital already achieved this during the first month of the year. Stuttgart in Germany is another city considering action to counteract its pollution lev-

BAJO LA CUESTA

Candelaria council campaign Continued from front page The problem, especially for the 15 families who have nowhere else to go, is that the council does not have an expected finish date for the improvements, or even know when work will start. In the next move of the concerted Bajo La Cuesta campaign for answers, the third Sunday of October saw around 500 people protesting against the situation in front of the local town hall. ‘Fewer orders, better dialogue and greater solidarity’ demanded the affected families, along with their friends and sympathisers, during the remonstration. ‘We are not house occupiers, but householders’ read some of the banners which were displayed. None of the residents are

Inhabitants demand greater transparency

against the move but decry the uncertainty that is connected with it. As the situation stood, the local council had refused to help any of them find new accommodation and, though the possibility of financial help had been brought up, had avoided committing to any concrete decisions. "We are supposed to move out in October but it will be December at the earliest when we find out whether there is definitely financial support,

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and to what extent", criticised one demonstrator. The mayoress of Candelaria, María Concepción Brito, insists that the measure is being undertaken to protect the citizens and that they will be able to return to their homes after the safety work is completed. However, families fear that may be a long time coming or that they may never be able to go back. They feel that they have been let down by local politicians and poorly informed every step of Disclaimer: Island Connections Newspaper is published and printed fortnightly by ISLAND CONNECTIONS S.L. Adverts, texts, photos or other parts of this publication are property of the publishers. They may not be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any other form or means without the prior written permission of the publishers. This newspaper cannot be held responsible for the contents of articles supplied by our contributors or advertisers claims. The publisher reserves the right to refuse to publish adverts, texts or advertising

the way. Above all, they fear that the foreclosure, which is currently being ordered by the court, could just be an excuse to use the coastal strip for other purposes later. Many are suspicious and believe that the council would like to build a second Tabaiba (as in the neighbouring El Rosario borough) and a sports port. Since the demonstration, the mayoress has tried to appease the protesters and promised the return of the residents to their homes as soon as their security can be guaranteed. She emphasised that the houses would be guarded in the absence of the inhabitants to prevent looting, and talks are in place to ensure that those with no other residence available are in receipt of financial support. n features. Advertisements once contracted cannot be cancelled and have to be paid in full. The publishers can not be held responsible for variation on colour printed in this newspaper. Advertising conditions are to be obtained in our offices.

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els, with high NO2 readings leading to an inclusive debate on traffic limitation. In the Canaries, the association Ecologistas en Acción (Ecologists in Action) warned last year that there is excessive air pollution in the Islands when data from 55 measuring points were analysed. In general, results found that there was an overexposure to micro-particles of categories PM10 and PM2.5 and increased levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Based on Spanish and European guidelines, this means that around 900,000 Canary Islands residents are being exposed to a higher rate than recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Northern and southern zones of Tenerife were most affected, as well as Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. These high levels not only affect people but also

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the surrounding environment and wildlife. However, recorded levels of ozone, an inorganic molecule with the chemical formula O3, fell for the first time. Exceptions were the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, where ozone pollution was still very high. According to ecologists, this is due to a large number of cars on the roads as well as a generally low installation of clean energy alternatives on the Islands, even though they are continually moving in this direction with numerous projects recently undertaken or currently in the pipeline. Approximately 2.8 per cent of Spain’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is spent on health issues related to air pollution and contaminating factors, therefore addressing the problem should be of top priority, not only for economical reasons but also for general quality of life for residents. n

European Union European Regional Development Fund

“Creating Europe” This company has qualified for subsidies from the Spanish Government, cofinanced by funding from the European Regional Development Fund, for the transport of merchandise in the Canaries.

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

CANARY ISLANDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

SOCIAL EXCLUSION

CRIMESTOPPERS

Britain’s most wanted criminals

A list of Britain’s most wanted fugitives believed to be living in Spain’s ex-pat communities has just been issued by the charity Crimestoppers and the National Crime Agency in the latest of the Operation Captura initiatives. The 10 fugitives are wanted by law enforcement agencies in connection with crimes including murder, child sexual exploitation, drug trafficking, fraud, money laundering and serious assault. Full details of these individuals’ real names and crimes can be found at: www.crimestoppersuk.org/opcaptura. To pass on information anonymously see: www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call one of the available freephone numbers: 900 555 111 from Spain (a translation service is available on request) or 0800 555 111 from the UK. You will be passed directly to the Crimestoppers’ call centre. The list was published on October 20 and one of the men was arrested on the same day! This latest compilation coincides with the 10th anniversary of Operation Captura –a multi-agency campaign which has seen 77 fugitives apprehended out of 86 publicised. n

Help the authorities catch these dangerous criminals

Young homeless people have become the sector of the population most likely to suffer from social exclusion, according to a recent report on social development and exclusion in Spain. Last year in Santa Cruz, the municipal shelter catered for 11 people aged under 20 years old and 63 others under 30. That is 12.6 per cent of all people who have requested help and a frightening figure in terms of youth poverty. That is why the Don Bosco Project Foundation, financed by the municipal social attention institute IMAS, decided to actively counteract this. The foundation has experience with supervised residential groups and young people who find it difficult to find work. Recently, the first apartment for young homeless people was inaugurated in the southwest of the city. Five youngsters now have a roof over their heads and a chance to catch up with

Apartment for homeless youths

Young people have the opportunity to get involved in society

schooling, learn from a vocational training course, and take part in voluntary projects. With this, the foundation can now attend to and assess 15

youths in the area. Young people under the age of 25 are especially affected by social exclusion if they become homeless. Almost €72,000

is being invested in the project, which is concentrated on those aged 18 to 30 years old. Further residential groups are planned in the future. n

CANARY ISLANDS

A FIRST IN TENERIFE

The Academy of Music and Scenic Arts (AMAE) in Los Cristianos has been operating for over 10 years, and was created as a result of the musical and artistic experience of three people. Nowadays it is an education centre for scenic arts students of all ages who want to make their dreams come true. The creators and directors of AMAE, Laura Mereb Pérez, Alejandra Mereb de Toledo and Christian P. Comellas Barreneche and the professors at this academy now offer a full range of classes and services. There's music, from classical to rock, vocal and instrumental, and dance classes ranging from classical ballet to hip-hop. The theatre is also covered, and the age range of students goes from tiny tots upwards. AMAE also offers the use of a

FILM FESTIVAL

The Insularia-Islas en Red Film Festival was recently held at La Casona de San Luis in Santa Úrsula, North Tenerife, with the Cuban film Conducta taking the top prize for best fulllength fiction movie. Directed by the filmmaker Ernesto Daranas, the Cuban Film Institute said that the Canarian festival showcases the best films produced in insular territories and this year’s debut event was dedi-

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

AMAE and Trinity College London

(left to right) Christian, Laura, Barry and Alejandra following the presentation at AMAE

professional recording studio which would satisfy even the most demanding artists. Now, AMAE has become the first academy in Tenerife to offer Trinity College London examinations. Trinity College London is the international exam board for the performing arts and English language

qualifications. Trinity's national consultant for Spain and Portugal and senior operations consultant for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Barry Lynam, visited the academy recently. He gave a presentation on the implications and benefits of this examination system for the academy, and its rock and pop

music students in the south of Tenerife. The Trinity exams and assessments are designed to inspire and help students to progress. Regular assessments allow students to find out how they are progressing towards achieving their goals. They are motivated and encouraged to make their own choices and bring their interests to the exams, making them more relevant. Improvisation is especially encouraged. Trinity exams are recognised by all UK universities, and via the European Qualifications Framework, in Europe and worldwide. This is an enormous boon for AMAE and its international students, of whom 45 per cent are Spanish, while the remaining 55 per cent are made up of English, German, French, Belgian, and other nationalities. n

Canaries honour Cuban cinema Photo: Josemarear CC A 3.0 UL

The Insularia-Islas en Red Film Festival was held in Santa Úrsula

cated to Cuba. The festival’s programme included a tribute to movie maker Julio Garcia Espinosa and a special presentation on the Cuban filmmaker’s work during the three first decades of his illustrious career. A poster exhibition, a tribute to the San Antonio de Los Baños Film School, as well as a meeting between officials of the Canarian and Cuban film industries, were also on the agenda. n

SCHOOL DAYS

The Wingate way Wingate School aims to help with students’ development by instilling family values, knowledge and skills to become an independent, self-reliant learner with the strength of character to make positive contributions. Wingate is a fully authorised British school in the south of Tenerife for children aged three to 18 years old, and was recently voted as one of the top schools in Spain. Their facilities include: a theatre/hall, science laboratories, music rooms, sports installations, an art department, A Level centre with common room and study area, and an exclusive bus service. Comment from a Year 8 student: “Today has been amazing, I met my new Google Chromebook computer! It is so helpful in class. Before I used to hate doing my homework but now I really enjoy doing it - can you believe that! In my opinion, the best app is the classroom application because of the fact that it is taking learning to the next level. I struggle to find a negative point but one is that it is quite embarrassing when the teacher projects your work up on the board and then you have to read it out in front of the whole class! I’m sure this will be a positive as I know that I will try even harder, knowing everyone may see my work.” Comment from a teacher: “Here’s how I’ve been using the Chromebook so far: My course notes are stored on Google Drive for me and the students which means they aren’t linked to a particular computer. By sharing files on Google Drive, any changes or additions I make are automatically updated on the students’ version. Scanned textbooks can be downloaded so students can access them even when offline. This eliminates the need for students to carry heavy books to and from school. The ‘stream’ allows me to pass homework assignments and set the due date which avoids any misunderstandings. Students will see set work whether they were in class that day or not. They also receive reminders on when work is due and I can see who has or hasn’t done it. Marking homework is paper free. I can post comments and return it with no printing required. Any announcements, additional notes or useful links can be posted to the stream for students to access. The Screen Extension allows me to connect to the projector so students can see what I open on my computer - this is useful for feedback or to watch a video, for example.” Visit Wingate’s website: www.wingateschool.com, or contact them via email: theoffice@wingateschool. com. The school is delighted to show you around and answer any questions you may have. n

Wingate School is taking learning to the next level

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

PROMOTION

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

OPENING IN JANUARY

Photos: Facebook Innato

First nudist restaurant in Spain

Take care with your tongs! Human bodies form the table on which the buffet is served

Enjoying a few glasses of good Canarian wine while savouring some tasty organic starters served on ‘human tables’ will soon be possible in Tenerife. The Italian entrepreneur Tony De Leonardis is scheduled to open the first nudist restaurant in Spain, on January 20, 2017, and it's going to be in San Isidro, Tenerife. Innato, inspired by the London bar called Bunyadi, will accommodate around 44 diners, who will have to leave their clothes,

mobile phones and other electronic gadgets in lockers provided in the reception area. Clients will be able to dine in the central area, or under fruit trees in one of the two gardens which are lit only by candles, where all the materials are natural. Payment is made at the beginning because, as De Leonardis, who has been a practicing nudist for 30 years explained: "Our guests should not think of money and stress during the evening, they should just think about the food".

The three-course menu, including drinks, is expected to cost around €70. Soon after arrival, the diners will be presented with their starters, which temptingly lay on the bodies of naked young ladies and gentlemen, while the waiting staff will be scantily dressed with only a few grapes and drapes. Afterwards, guests can choose between a main course with fish, meat or a vegetarian dish. The food is usually served raw or cooked naturally on

charcoal, and if you wish to enhance your evening in the all-together, you can order aphrodisiac ingredients too. The most erotic part of the evening is the dessert: sweet fruits are again offered on human bodies for consumption. The restaurant will open five days a week, only in the evenings. If you want to be among the first to try this new gastronomic experience, you can contact Innato at: www.facebook. com/InnatoTenerife. In London, where De Leonardis opened a nudist restaurant in the summer, up to 40,000 people were on the waiting list. n

PIMPS CAUGHT

Four freed from prostitution As if to celebrate the European Day against Human Trafficking, Guardia Civil officers recently busted an active prostitution ring and freed four women. Seven Bulgarian men, aged between 23 and 49 years old, were arrested, three of whom, including the alleged head of the gang, were the subjects of international arrest warrants from various countries for human trafficking and are under investigation. The remaining four were conditionally released. The investigation began in March of this year, when the police suspected that Bulgarian pimps were targeting women in poor regions of the country and luring them to Spain with the promise of work. However, once they arrived they were forced into prostitution. They were taken to the holiday areas of Benidorm (Alicante), Benalmádena (Málaga), Maspalomas (Gran Canaria), Palma de Mallorca, and Ibiza (Balearics), where they had to earn money, mainly by trading with tourists. They were given strict instructions as to how they would have to behave in the event of an arrest, what they had to do with their suitors, and what they had to do with the cash they earned: hand it all over to their pimps. Some women were sent to work on the streets, while others had to provide so-called luxury services in rented apartments. The investigation has not yet been completed. Police have not ruled out further arrests, which could be made with the cooperation of other Armed police raided countries. n suspicious dwellings Photo: Guardia Civil

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

CANARY ISLANDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

ONBOARD BEHAVIOUR

Passenger’s expensive ban

A passenger whose behaviour caused the diversion of a Jet2.com flight has been banned for life from the airline and recently ordered by the County Court to pay all their costs. Claire Sanderson was on a flight from Tenerife to Newcastle last New Year’s Day, when according to the airline, she became aggressive and abusive to the crew. Her behaviour became so disruptive that the Captain, to protect the safety of everyone else on board, was forced to divert to Shannon so that she could be removed from the plane and handed over to local police. There was a two-hour delay before the flight could continue. The Court has ordered Ms. Sanderson to compensate the airline for all their losses and the Managing Director of Jet2 announced that the ruling: “Should send out a strong message to anybody who thinks that they can get away with acting in an unacceptable and aggressive fashion onboard – this behaviour will not be tolerated and we will continue to take action to recover our losses. Ms. Sanderson must now accept the consequences of her actions, which caused both inconvenience and distress for other customers as well as our crew. As a family-friendly airline carrying millions of holidaymakers, many of whom are families, we will not tolerate this on our flights.” Jet2.com’s Onboard Together initiative has a zero-tolerance stance against disruptive passenger behaviour. No alcohol is available on their flights before 8am and they would like to see airports introduce the same restrictions as well as introducing tamper-proof bags for the sale of alcohol in the Duty Free shops. Since launching, more than 500 disruptive passengers have been refused travel and over 60 of these, including Claire Sanderson, have been given lifetime bans. n

CANARIAN ECOSYSTEM

Dangerous invaders A yellow-bellied slider land and water turtle, considered among the top 100 most invasive species in the world, was recently discovered in a public park in Santa Cruz and removed to a wildlife reception centre. The example was found in one of the water tanks in Parque García Sanabria and it’s far from the first time such animals have been found in public spaces in the Canaries. Both the yellow-bellied slider and the red-eared slider have had to be removed from public areas, with 22 examples found in Santa María de Guía alone. The Royal Decree 630/2013 prohibits the possession, trade and transport of these turtles. Originally from the Florida area and surroundings, both are considered extremely dangerous invaders in the wild as they damage the autonomous flora and fauna. Their diet consists of plants, invertebrates and even small vertebrates and their presence here could disturb the sensitive Canarian ecosystem.

A yellow-bellied slider (Credit: Ayuntamiento Santa Cruz)

Cute pets when tiny, they become a problem at three years plus when they get much bigger and need a lot more room. "A turtle, like any other pet, is not a toy. That's why you have to think beforehand about the pet you give your children,”

advised the councillor for the environment in Santa Cruz Carlos Correa. Both species can be expected to live for at least three decades and several examples can be seen at the Gran Canaria Rescue Centre, Cocodrilo Park in Agüimes.

The La Laguna-based Fundación Neotrópico (922 230 404) helps the authorities by collecting and rehousing tropical species found in the Canaries and will take in unwanted pets to avoid them being released into the wild. n

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

ILLEGAL MIGRANTS

Human traffickers arrested One of the suspects arrested in Madrid

Photo: Policía Nacional

Six individuals have been arrested in Madrid charged with smuggling people from the Western Sahara into Europe via the Andalusian coast and the Canaries. The group has been growing rich on the back of the suffering of people desperate for a new life, smuggling them via Spain into the rest of Europe, mainly Sweden, France and Germany. Some 500 people have been brought in this year according to their own records. After handing over €3,000 per ‘passenger’ the illegal migrants were packed into the rickety boats known as ‘pateras’ and shipped across to Granada, Cádiz or Gran Canaria. Once there they

were transferred to various NGOs - the Red Cross, local Social Services or temporary immigrant accommodation centres - and after a few weeks of lying low, contacted members of the smuggling group on a number previously supplied to them. Various routes and methods were used

to get them to Madrid where they were packed in inhumane conditions into small apartments in groups of 30 to 40 people. Sometimes these groups crossed the Spanish-French border on foot, but mainly they were carried by well-known transport companies which

operate regularly on the crossborder routes. Once over the border, other accomplices took over and arranged the onward journey - further into France or on to other EU countries. Sometimes they were supplied with fake papers to get through border controls, and if they were caught and returned, the gang organised a new trip, after charging them again. During the arrests and subsequent searches, extensive evidence was uncovered and confiscated detailing the operation, including computers, telephones, international transfer documents and accounts. Four of those arrested are being held in prison pending trial. n

VOLCANIC EXPLORATION

Unfolding underwater world For the scientists of the Spanish Oceanographic Institute (IEO) and researchers from all over the world, the emergence of the Tagoro underwater volcano off the island of El Hierro has offered a unique research possibility. Since the beginnings of the activity which led to its development in July 2011, 22 research missions have already been carried out with varied objectives. The Ramón Margalef, Cornide de Saavedra and Ángeles Alvariño research vessels have undertaken various operations off the coast, and the latter is once again exploring the region in search of answers. This time, scientists are interested in discovering the current degassing properties of the vol-

Tagoro is a unique natural laboratory for research, in which valuable observations can be made

cano and will collect chemical, biological and geological data. They will also investigate in which ways the still active volcano is influencing its environment. How nature copes with such extreme stresses and how it is recovering are of significant interest for the scientists.

The present mission is being undertaken with the collaboration of the La Laguna and Las Palmas Universities along with the Tenerife Museum of Nature and Man. During the 15-day operation, a high-resolution map of the underwater volcano will

once again be created. This time, special attention will be paid to the secondary craters, from which hydrothermal liquid is still being emitted. On one of the most active craters, a geophone and hydrophone will be installed so that sound and movement can be recorded. Chemical sensors will also be placed on the volcano. For scientists, Tagoro is a unique opportunity to observe the birth of an underwater volcano from the very first moment, and to explore the ability of the marine ecosystem to adapt to the changes. Various specialist articles on the subject have already been published in prestigious international journals such as Nature and PLOS ONE. n

SANTA CRUZ

Crafty but fair This year’s Tri-continental Craft Fair, now in its fourth consecutive year, runs from October 29 to November 6 at the Recinto Ferial in Santa Cruz. Actually it should really be renamed, as this year 170 exhibitors from not only three, but four continents will be attending. The fair will occupy a 12,000 square metre site, with the focus being the importance of handcrafts for sustainable development, on the preservation of the arts as an important tradition and identity of the individual peoples and, at the same time, their adaptation to modern factors. As in previous years, artisans from various parts of South America, Europe and Africa will attend, in addition to local exhibitors who are always a part of this fair. For the first time, Middle Eastern countries will be included and artisans from Iran will be our guests. There will be an increased presence from Africa with exhibitors attending from Morocco, Senegal and for the first time, Tanzania. European artisans will be arriving from the Spanish peninsula, the Azores, Italy, Portugal and Macedonia, among others. South America is represented by craftspeople from Guatemala, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. There will be much to buy, admire and discover at the Tricontinental- Craft Fair. Don’t miss the ‘Noche Blanca’ late night opening on November 4, during which the fair will remain open until 1am with plenty of activities including live music, cultural events and culinary specialities. During the other days of the fair, there will be fashion shows, book presentations and live music, all based on crafts. n

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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

PROMOTION

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

EL HIERRO

One for your diary By Barbara Belt Although El Hierro is a tiny years. The winning poster will island and the Bajada, of which more later, is a mainly insider event, the prestige of this win is considerable. El Hierro’s Bajada is the biz: an extraordinary event drawing ever bigger crowds every four

be very familiar by next July, and it was on show with all 43 of the competing posters in the old BBVA bank offices in Valverde’s Calle Licenciado until late October. García, from Murcia in the Spanish penin-

Photo: Cabildo de El Hierro

The Virgen de Los Reyes The winning poster Dancers accompany the procession along the whole route

sula, was there to explain: “My poster reflects the essence of these fiestas. It’s in Art Deco style and built around the central figure of the Virgen de Los Reyes and the heart, symbolising love and devotion. It also incorporates peculiarities of the fiesta such as the dancers, drums and pipes, set in familiar island landscapes”. Valverde mayor Daniel Morales congratulated the artist, whose win secured him not only a

Photo: Cabildo de El Hierro

Canarian artist Rubén Lucas García has won an all-important competition with his poster design for El Hierro’s 2017 ‘Bajada de La Virgen de Los Reyes’ celebrations.

€3,000 prize, but the gratification of seeing his work central to the event’s big build-up. The Bajada commemorates events on the night of January 5, 1546 when a group of shepherds sheltered in a cave during a foul storm, as the island was blasted by very inclement weather. They experienced many strange and ter-

rifying events during that long night and what happened next morning, all those years ago, had a lasting effect on the lives of the islanders of El Hierro. As a direct result of the shepherds’ experiences 470 years ago, some 25,000 people will take part in the four-yearly Bajada announced on García’s poster next July 1.

Translated literally as the ‘Descent of the Madonna of the Kings’, the Bajada is the procession of the patron saint’s statue from her sanctuary in La Dehesa to the island capital Valverde, 28 kilometres away. El Hierro’s population is less than 10,000, so why do nearly three times that number take part in an extraordinary procession featuring a small statue, twirling dancers, penitents,

the storm to nearby Orchilla. They stayed hidden, watching as a small boat was lowered and an elderly man, rowed by two sailors, came ashore. The shepherds went down to meet them. The old man, who was the ship’s captain, told them his Genoese vessel had been battered by the storm, losing crew and provisions as it was en route for Cuba. He asked for help in re-provisioning his

Mass was first held there on April 25, 1577. She is still there today. The Madonna’s chapel was one of two pilgrimage sites for the Herreños: Garoe, a holy tree famed for its magical water-giving properties, was the other. Both were important pilgrimage destinations in the latter

broke into the church under cover of darkness. They stole the Madonna, carried her to some caves near town, and then woke the priest, telling him to go to the cave. What comes next is the important bit: bells rang, islanders turned out to honour the image of their Virgen, and a miraculous black

of the previous outing. And it rained again. Another miracle. So, on January 29, 1741, it was decided that a devotional procession in honour of the miraculous Madonna of the Kings would be held every four years to ensure her continued favour and in 1745 the Bajada was born. It has taken

half of the 16th century and especially at the turn of the century when the island suffered a terrible drought. Livestock died as grazing failed, then people began to die. The islanders were desperate. On April 7, 1612, further disaster struck. Garoe was uprooted in a hurricane. Hard times and drought continued. Wells were dry by 1614, but island authorities refused permission for calls to carry the Madonna to Jamoco, present day Valverde, to see if she could bring rain. Eventually, eight shepherds

cloud suddenly appeared, releasing heavy rain. It was a miracle, according to islanders, although of course the authorities, having refused permission to let the Virgin intervene, said it was a coincidence. From March 1614 until 1740, the Madonna reclined in her chapel, then the island suffered another drought. In a wonderful policy change, typical of authorities everywhere, an official decision was taken to process the Madonna to Valverde, given the now acknowledged “miraculous” outcome

sailed on the first wind, leaving the shepherds with the statue, which they carried back to the cave, renaming it La Cueva de la Virgen (The Cave of the Madonna). Over the years, the Madonna became La Virgen de los Reyes, the Madonna of the Kings, because she had arrived on January 6, the feast of the Three Kings. She became famous, then venerated as

The wind instruments form part of a unique procession Groups in typical island dress walk above the clouds

ship and in exchange for water, meat, cheese and wool, he gave them a statue of the Madonna and Child that had been destined for a church in Cuba, telling them it had miraculous properties. The Genoese vessel

the patron and protector of El Hierro’s shepherds, their families and livestock. Her growing fame for miraculous cures, problems solved and prayers answered, prompted the building of a chapel to house her.

Photo: Cabildo de El Hierro

Over 25,000 people took part in 2013

musicians, priests, horses, religious fervour and large quantities of local wine, sweat and volcanic dust? Well, back in 1546 on January 6, when the storm blew itself out, the shepherds were surprised to see that a ship had been blown in by

Photo: Cabildo de El Hierro

The patron saint is brought to the island capital, Valverde

CANARY ISLANDS

Photo: Cabildo de El Hierro

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

Photo: Mataparda CC A 3.0 UL

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

place every four years in early July ever since and is a unique event, drawing crowds to what is increasingly a celebration of Canarian culture and identity as much as a demonstration of religious belief. Take note, dear readers, the Bajada de La Virgen de los Reyes in question will take place on July 1, 2017 and the island of El Hierro will be ‘de fiesta’ all month. This is not to be missed. Book your ferry or plane tickets and accommodation now to ensure your place at this extraordinary event next year. n

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

GRANADILLA DE ABONA

Tenerife’s Puntos Limpios

Rubbish rally

Recycling, large items, household building rubble or potentially dangerous items such as batteries can be left at the Puntos Limpios. There are eight facilities in Tenerife.

Metropolitan area San Andrés (fishing harbour, Barranco de Jagua, Santa Cruz) Tuesday to Friday: 8.00am – 8pm, Saturday: 9am - 8pm, Sunday: 9am - 2pm, Closed Mondays and Bank Holidays. Taco (Carretera General La Cuesta, Taco, La Laguna) Monday: 8am – 4pm, Tuesday to Friday: 8am – 8pm, Saturday: 9am - 8pm, Sunday: 9am - 2pm, Closed Bank Holidays.

North Tenerife Buenavista del Norte (Los Pasitos industrial area off the access road to El Palmar) Tuesday to Friday: 8am – 8pm, Saturday: 9am – 8pm, Sunday: 9am – 2pm. Closed Mondays and Bank Holidays. La Orotava (San Jerónimo industrial area near Alcampo) Monday to Saturday: 8am – 8pm, Sunday: 8am – 2pm, Closed Bank Holidays. La Guancha (Main access road from the coast up to La Guancha) Monday to Saturday: 8am – 8pm, Sunday: 8am – 2pm, Closed Bank Holidays.

South Tenerife

Does a rally really have to end like this?

thing similar has occurred, it tends to cause environmental problems in all the boroughs where this kind of event is held.

Not only events generate rubbish

For further information, call the freephone number: 900 305 000, email residuosdetenerife@tenerife.es, or contact the appropriate department in your local town hall. n

Moringa - Suerte In the south of Tenerife

Bio-Mor i

a ng

Discarded rubbish isn’t only seen after special events. Drive around the Islands and you can’t fail to notice unofficial (and illegal) dumping of building material, furniture, mattresses or old electrical equipment by the roadsides,

in parking areas or elsewhere in the countryside. This is far from the desired clean and beautiful Islands image. All the authorities in the Canaries are fighting hard to stop this illegal dumping and fines can be harsh. Only a few weeks ago, Los Realejos council imposed a €3,500 fine on a man who dumped unwanted household goods and building rubbish in a local school car park. This sort of behaviour is even more incomprehensible when there is a widespread network of ‘Puntos Limpios’ (recycling and special collection zones) all over the Islands where most types of household rubbish can be left free of charge. It surely takes just as much time and effort to load it onto a vehicle to dispose of it properly as it does to dump it. Councils also offer a free collection service for large items. You call up, agree a day and where the item is to be left, and the refuse disposal staff pick it up and take it away.

e ni n Te n e r i f

Velázquez affirmed that: “During the whole race spectators were constantly reminded that there were containers available for rubbish. What’s more, in previous races they’d given race-goers rubbish bags, but there are still people who are not environmentally aware. We’ve collected between 15 and 20 bags of rubbish from the road, but there are areas like La Charca and around Hiperdino which are more difficult to access, so we had to pass that to the council.” It’s not the first time that some-

gro

Sadly the Rally Sprint Atogo left more behind than the tantalising whiff of burnt rubber and fuel so beloved by petrol-heads. The following day, everywhere the local residents looked, there were piles of rubbish left behind by spectators. Granadilla de Abona council are fully aware of the discarded trash that was generated by the event and sports councillor Nacho Mendoza immediately contacted Sermugran, the company responsible for the cleanup. The President of the Atogo rally group José

Güímar (industrial area) Tuesday to Friday: 8am – 8pm, Saturday: 9am – 8pm, Sunday: 9am – 2pm. Closed Mondays and Bank Holidays. Arona (Malpaso de Guaza – road up to Valle de San Lorenzo) Tuesday to Friday: 8am – 8pm, Saturday: 9am – 8pm, Sunday: 9am – 2pm. Closed Mondays and Bank Holidays. Adeje (Just off the Atalaya roundabout, Armeñime) Tuesday to Friday: 8am – 8pm, Saturday: 9am – 8pm, Sunday: 9am – 2pm. Closed Mondays and Bank Holidays.

Moringa - the edible tree Direction Granadilla

Visit our farm

Finca Suerte

El Salto Yaco El Salto

San Isidro TF-1

Monday till Friday 11am – 1pm or call to make an appointment. Additional information about Moringa is available under: www.moringasuerte.com

Rubbishing nature Big events and dumping cause unsightly debris, but also sometimes just simple leisure activities leave unpleas-

Moringa-Suerte: 664 084 344 / 822 683 676 E-mail: suertefit@yahoo.com

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

CANARY ISLANDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

The free-to-use disposal points have practical opening hours

Some rubbish was gathered into a bag but it didn’t make it to a container

ant reminders behind. It should be emphasised that many local residents of all origins are careful of what they leave, but a

LORO PARQUE In the face of repeated criticism from animal rights activists about the wellbeing of their orcas, Loro Parque commissioned an independent assessment conducted by experts from the Zoo Animal Welfare Education Centre (Zawec). The Park wanted an unbiased expert opinion and Zawec were given full access to veterinary records and information pertaining to the animals’ care and training. Their scientists have now certified that the care and conditions of the six orcas that live in Loro Parque fulfil the diverse welfare standards established by their Welfare Quality protocol. The report’s findings, derived from observation and analysis of these animals are determinant, clear and concise: “The evidence indicates that Keto, Kohana, Skyla, Tekoa, Mor-

small minority are not and it’s sad to see how often you find old hooks and bits of net where fishermen regularly sit,

cigarette butts sticking in the sand, or plastic bottles and soda cans in the woods and along the footpaths.

It’s not unusual to see something flying out of a car window, or find unpleasant rubbish left in quiet corners of popular trysting spots. It all adds up

and many of them are small things that it would be so easy to avoid or fix, but they can make a big difference. In an ideal world, we should all be

thinking what traces our work and play activities are leaving behind us, whether it is environmentally friendly and what we can do to improve it. n

tial objectives are training and research into the welfare of zoo animals. Its main activities are the elaboration and the validation of welfare assessment protocols for

different species in captivity, advice on the welfare of wild animals and the development of research projects on welfare of wild animals in captivity. n

Optimum orca care are very satisfactory. Moreover, the orcas demonstrate behaviour that indicates a relationship of complete trust with their caregivers.” The Zawec organisation’s essen-

Some of the Parque’s orcas with their trainers

gan and Adam get adequate food, both in quantity and quality; the temperature and quality of the pool water is appropriate; the design and size of the pools meet the recommendations currently available; and the health of the orcas at Loro Parque are mostly good, with the excep-

tion of dental problems. However, the time dedicated by the keepers to dental care, to avoid pain or discomfort to the orcas, is seen as especially positive”. Finally, the document notes that: “The protocols of medical training and veterinary supervision and intervention

TRAVEL

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM THE CANARY ISLANDS

Lovely Lisbon and Porto package Make the most of your holiday with an out-of-this-world break to the Portuguese cities of Lisbon and Porto with CanariasViaja.com and local airline, Binter. Enjoy a stay in a classy hotel and take advantage of the direct flights on offer from the Canary Islands.

spend an afternoon in one of the city’s museums. You will find Lisbon to be a city of contrasts, with a golden past and a vibrating present.

and is located on the Avenida da Liberdade. It opened in April 1954, and has always maintained a casual and homely feel.

Recommended You could visit the area Barrio de Belém, home to the Jerónimos Monastery and the spectacular Belém Tower. n Also, cross the Vasco da Gama Bridge, the largest in Europe, and visit the Barrio Alto with its lively streets and café culture.

Lisbon Whatever your heart desires can be found in and around the Portuguese capital. It’s big enough to offer all the benefits of a European capital and small enough that modernity rubs shoulders comfortably with the remains of an important historical heritage. It is a beautiful, quirky and practical city where diversity rules. Visit the old districts of Chiado, La Baixa, Barrio Alto and sample the local art and crafts that the areas are famed for. Stroll along the stunning Avenida da Liberdade and sip a sweet capilé in one of the many outdoor cafés. Visit the Lisbon Oceanarium, located in the Parque das Nações, the largest indoor aquarium in Europe. Shop till you drop in some of the world’s best known boutiques or

The emblematic Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, the gateway to the city

Tea service at the Hotel Lisboa Plaza 4*

City combo Visit both Lisbon and Porto and enjoy an ideal eight day, seven night package that includes flight and hotel: Lisbon - Five nights at the Hotel Lisboa Plaza 4* Porto - Two nights at the Hotel da Música 4* Hotel Lisboa Plaza 4* This cosy hotel in the heart of the capital belongs to the Heritage chain

Hotel da Música 4* The backdrop for a perfect stay in Porto: the Hotel da Música is integrated into the emblematic building of the Bom Sucesso Market and perfectly blends a modern touch with comfort. The hotel is inspired by the musical works of classical composers, and stylishly incorporates culture, gastronomy and local tradition. The hotel has 85 rooms across four floors and offers the finest conditions for an enjoyable stay in the city.

Recommended n

You could dine at the Restaurante Bom Sucesso Gourmet in Porto’s

The 25 de Abril Bridge connects the city of Lisbon to the borough of Almada

Lisbon is a fascinating mix of the old and new

city centre and sample its culinary delights. n Take a stroll through Miragaia, an area historically populated by fishermen and sailors which has lines of colourful old buildings. n Taste the local wine at one of the many wineries, such as the Puente de D. Luís.

How to get there Local airline Binter flies direct to Lisbon from Gran Canaria every Sunday, with connections to all the Islands. The flight takes less than two hours and has an onboard service. Lisbon’s airport is only eight kilome-

tres from the city and there is an airport bus link that runs every 20 minutes to the Avenida da Liberdade for just €3.50. This ticket also entitles you to discounts on the tourist train and other local transport.

Where to stay CanariasViaja.com offers bed and breakfast packages in a superb selection of charming, family-run, boutique hotels from the Heritage Hotels group. They are based in the centre of the old city and boast all the traditional details

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016 that make them so cosy and welcoming. Heritage Avenida da Liberdade: With its famous blue façade, a design which encompasses many original elements and a privileged location, this hotel is ideal for couples.

TRAVEL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal

A Portuguese cittern is a stringed instrument dating back to the Renaissance The entrance to the elegant Hotel Lisboa Plaza 4*

Hotel Lisboa Plaza: Perfect for family stays. It is close to the centre, but situated in a quiet street, and very welcoming. The Hotel da Música 4* Solar do Castelo: Next to the famous Castillo de San Jorge in Alfama, this hotel offers some incredible views. Hotel Britania: Voted in top Don’t miss place by TripAdvisor contributors, this hotel is a ‘must’ for n A visit to the centre of lovers of Art Deco. romantic Sintra (beloved of Lord Byron) and Cascais, returning by train along the Where to eat Estoril coast to the Belém Spectacular seafood abounds, Tower. typical meat dishes feature on n A tram-ride on the numlocal menus, and the Portuber 28 through the Graça, guese are famous for their desAlfama and Castelo neighserts like the Pasteis de Belém. bourhoods. Locals recommend: n The wonderful, traditional n Restaurante Zambeze: A shops and cafés in Chiado fusion of African and Porlike the Café Brasileira, tuguese cuisine in a resbrowsing for books at Bertaurant at the feet of the trand’s, or listening to live Castillo de San Jorge with music in A Vida Portuguesa a terrace giving spectacular commercial centre. views over Lisbon. n Buying your Pasteis de n Restaurant A Venda LusiBelém in the Confitería tana offers Portuguese tapas Nacional, and do try the and is small, charming and local cherry-based liqueur perfectly-positioned on the Ginginha! Avenida da Liberdade. n There are also many great CanariasViaja.com options around the Plaza de Figueira offering a fabulous CanariasViaja.com is the speprice/quality balance. cialist online agency offering

The beach of Sintra, a small town outside Lisbon’s city centre

complete holiday breaks and packages (flight, hotel and excursions) to destinations served by the airline company Binter, with regular special offers and promotions for Canarian residents. Their brilliant packages offer great value for money and quality. If you have a young family, check out their amazing special holiday offers for under-12s.

Contact and bookings Binter is far more than just an inter-island service! For further information and bookings visit: www.binter canarias.com, or call 902 391 392. Their website is available in English, Spanish and French. For holiday offers and packages available from their travel operator, visit: www.canariasviaja.com or call 922 248 161. n

BINTER CANARIAS

European distinction The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) recently awarded the Canarian airline Binter as the Airline of the Year 2016. It is the sixth time that Binter has been honoured by ERA, a non-profit trade association representing the European aviation industry, including 52 airlines and 143 manufacturers, airports, suppliers and service providers. “Binter is an exemplary European airline because it has grown consistently over a long period of time, despite the difficult economic situation, and therefore provides an important contribution to the Canary Islands”, said ERA director, Simon McNamara. During the recent ceremony in Madrid, the award was

Binter is the European Regions Airline Association’s Airline of the Year

presented to Binter‘s president, Pedro Agustín del Castillo, who said: “All of us who form Binter, including the employees and shareholders, are extremely proud to have received the Airline of the Year award, Europe’s most important accolade for a regional airline. ERA has acknowl-

edged our work on several occasions, which is important for us. It implies this is not a one-off achievement, but rather recognition of our continuing endeavour over time and the efforts of all the people working at Binter to provide the best regional transport service.” n

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

The colourful mobile stage design for a carnival with Caribbean flair

CARNIVAL STAGE DESIGN

A Caribbean experience The theme for next year's carnival in Santa Cruz is the Caribbean. The characteristic flair with warm colours and typical icons will dominate the stage which has been designed by the young artist Javier Caraballero in close collaboration with the artistic director of the carnival, Enrique Camacho. The innovative 1,000 square metre mobile stage which will host the contests and galas at the Recinto Ferial will express the joy of life which makes the Santa Cruz carnival so special.

It will also contribute towards continuity in all the events. Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez emphasised the young age of the designer, but praised the level to which he has adapted his design to the needs of the performers, saying: "It is clear that he has grown up with the carnival in Santa Cruz and that he is professionally trained in scenic arts. The mobile stage he has designed allows one carnival group to prepare for the performance while another group is already on stage. I hope that

this will be the first of many carnivals with Caraballero." Construction of the stage will begin on January 16, so that it will be ready for the start of the carnival contests which run from January 27 to March 5, after which the party takes to the streets. Javier Caraballero was born in Santa Cruz in 1988. He studied psychology at the University of La Laguna and is a senior stylist and fashion technician trained at the Fernando Estévez art and design

school. He already has noteworthy experience with the city's carnival as he designed several successful and awardwinning costumes for carnival queens and murga groups, and was responsible for the stage decor last year. His professional success also extends to the world of the theatre and opera, having designed the stages for the operas Aida and La Bohême as well as the musicals Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita at the Tenerife Auditorium. n

SANTA CRUZ

Brutal theft attempt A man was beaten, robbed and shackled after spending the night with a female acquaintance in Ofra. The following morning, she, along with a male accomplice, hit the man repeatedly, stole €370 cash, and then tied his hands and forced him to accompany his male attacker to a nearby branch of his bank. Fortunately, the strange appearance of the pair as they walked down the street, alerted local residents who contacted the emergency line and thanks to the good description they were given, they located the hostage outside the bank, still tied-up. His attacker, 39 years old, was inside attempting to take money from his victim’s account using his documentation. The would-be bank account thief was caught in the act and arrested. His victim showed signs of his beating on his chest, back and cheek and had some open wounds on his face, so he was taken to the Candelaria Hospital for treatment. His attacker was processed at the police station and remanded in custody. n

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

CANARY ISLANDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

READERS’ LETTERS

Middle of the road

Photo: Mutt Crumpelfungus/ FreeImages.com

Dear editor, Is it just me or does a strange phenomenon seem to take place when people go on holiday abroad? Every time I drive round places like Las Américas, Los Cristianos and other tourist areas (which I do a lot as half my job is doing deliveries) I seem to spend half my time not just dodging the other cars but an endless stream of people who just step out into the road without looking! It’s not even that they are confused about the way the traffic is coming from – they are not looking at all! Or they are wandering down the middle of a back road, totally unaware of the fact that there are cars coming towards them. They are either on their phones or chatting to each other or looking at the scenery or just dreamily stepping in front of the oncoming death machines. I even had one taking photos, right there in the middle of the road, cars having to swerve to go round them! Is it the heat or alcohol, or maybe the mixture? Or is it that they somehow think that cars here are less dangerous? And we all know that’s not true! Please, accidents happen on holiday too. If you are visiting, please ensure that you do not spend your vacation time in the hospital. Stop, look and listen very carefully before you cross the road! n

Stop, look and listen before you cross the road!

First of all, I’d like to congratulate all the winners of the Tenerife Entertainment ‘Top Entertainers of the Decade’ awards. It was such an honour when I was nominated for my own two wins over the past 10 years. The sight of my face suddenly appearing on a huge screen like at the cinema must have given all those who attended a real fright! But then any of you who managed to take a photograph of it were very lucky. If you put it in the window it’ll scare any would-be burglars away, and if you put it on the mantelpiece it would definitely keep the kids away from the fire! Thank you so much all of you lovely people who voted for me, I truly appreciated it. And it’s great to see all the talent there is on the island. Well done everyone. People can win awards for many different achievements. One example is a rather scruffy man who most people thought was a tramp. He was born just before the First World War, but more on him later. Back in those days, life was very hard and poverty was everywhere. In the 1920s, lasting until the end of the Second World War, things were very difficult in many ways. There was rationing until the 1950s and every family had a Ration Book which carefully restricted each item and weight of many of life’s necessities, and all of this depended on the number of members of each family. Every person was given ‘ration coupons’ allowing him or her to purchase a certain amount of a product each month. Rationing included food and other supplies of which there were severe shortages at the

y Kat

Hi everyone,

time, including materials needed for the war effort, such as rubber tyres, leather shoes, clothing, and fuel. During the Second World War, the Americans joined the fighting in the last week of 1941,

katykennedy@telefonica.net

nating ‘Yanks’, as they were called by the ladies’ jealous boyfriends. The Americans brought chewing gum, chocolate, and one of the items most beloved of young girls at the time: nylon stockings. Coca-

him; however, Albert didn’t care one bit. He wasn’t actually living on the streets as he really lived in a couple of attic rooms which he called home. When CocaCola started to come in cans,

You never know what hidden talents someone may have

Food rationing in the UK formally ended in 1954

and were stationed in various camps in Britain, bringing with them goods in such short supply that they were immensely popular, especially with the ladies. There were many ‘romances’ between British girls and these fasci-

Cola was highly prized too. It was originally sold in glass bottles which were green, but as time went by cans were introduced. This move made distribution both safer and more economical, and the colour was changed to the very bold red that we know today, to catch the eye no matter which shop they were sold in. And that’s where the tramp I mentioned earlier, Albert Torney, entered our story. Any time there was a dance or a public treat, like the cinema, you’d find Albert there with a hessian sugar bag. He would collect huge amounts of cola bottles and sell them to eke out a bit of a living for himself. The story goes that he was always dressed like a down and out, and all the local kids teased

however, his collection habits began to change too. He only sold a few of the empties he collected, and kept the rest for his own use. He lived to a fine old age of 86, dying in 1998. And when his rooms were entered, a huge and wonderful secret was discovered: he had a large collection of amazing model cars made from the empty cans he’d collected over the years. It’s a fabulous story: We never know what is going on in someone else’s life or what hidden talents they may have. So on that note, until next time, take care of yourselves and especially of each other. If anyone would like to get in touch, send me a line to: katykennedy@ telefonica.net, or ring me on: 616 110 930. n

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

BIKE POINT LAS CHAFIRAS

The mountain masters In the recent Bicistar 60km Marathon cycling contest staged in La Orotava in the north of Tenerife, the Bike Point Las Chafiras Team enjoyed another successful outing. Representing the club (affectionately known as ‘Vaca Loca’), Antonio González achieved another podium finish, this time coming in third in the Master 40 mountain bike category. In one of the last races of the season, veteran Nigel Turner got to walk up the steps and add another trophy to his haul after finishing third in Master 50. Although in different categories, Nigel and his teammate raced the three hours side by side, committed to finishing strongly, much to the bewilderment of those they were passing. The race took place in high altitude with beautiful sunshine and ideal conditions. Three other staff members from Bike Point in El Médano

It was a satisfying outing for everybody and the post-race beers were well deserved. Many of the bikers are still training hard for the Fudenas MTB Race in Fuerteventura: a tough 150km competition. The Bike Point Las Chafiras team is sponsored by Indem-

Nigel Turner, Christophe Vandijck and Emilio de Armas

also participated: Juan Carlos Donate, Fran Medina, and Julien de Braekeleer, who finished ninth overall. This was not his greatest result, pre-

dominantly caused by low training intensity and a heavy cold, however, the result was still good enough to put him in fourth place in the gen-

eral classification of the Copa Cabildo MTB Tenerife 2016, after finishing second, third and fourth on two other occasions in previous races.

nización Directa, Chafiras hardware store, and Bike Point bicycle shop. For readers who would like to receive a five per cent discount at the Chafiras hard-

Antonio González (right) after finishing second in the Master 40 category Nigel Turner (right), who finished third in the Master 40 category

ware store on all products, don’t forget to reference the CD Vaca Loca account. Chafiras supports the bike group for every euro spent on the account. n

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

BEAUTY GALA

Little Miss Sunshine

LIBERTY SEGUROS

Photo: ©Gerard Zenou 634 173 766

Adeje’s Plaza de España recently set the scene for the fifth Miss Sur beauty pageant, which also featured a full programme of entertainment. Directed by Sandro Pergola, the gala lasted over two hours and featured 23 aspiring Miss Surs and special performances by Naomi and Daniela (students of the Adeje Borough School of Music and Dance), Agoney Hernández, and Marianne Robiou. A young pharmacy student representing the company Océano Combustibles, Paula Pérez, took the coveted crown on the night, finishing ahead of Andrea Barreiro (Siam Park) and Victoria Padilla (Siam Mall). Adeje mayor José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga was present at the gala as well as collaborators and sponsors from other boroughs in the south, including: Candelaria, Fasnia, Güímar, San Miguel de Abona, Granadilla de Abona, Santiago del Teide and Arona. n

The powerful presence of Paula Pérez

Until December 21 2016, Liberty Seguros is proud to offer €50 cash-back on your car, home and life insurance premiums. These cash-back offers apply to new policies issued and in force between September 27 and December 21 and are not for renewals or replacements. All insurances applicable to this promotion must be paid by direct debit and the cashback is refunded directly into your bank account (within the SEPA zone). Minimum premiums will apply as will some conditions. As Iván Ortego, Expatriate's Experience Director at Liberty

CANARY ISLANDS

is not to be sneezed at and as we all know, every little helps! Why not let Liberty Seguros give you a quote so you can see how competitively priced their products are? Whether you live in Spain permanently or for just part of the year, join one of around 175,000 expats who already put their trust in Liberty Seguros. You may ask why so many choose Liberty? The simple answer is that they have around 300 brokers and agents who speak your language and are on hand to offer expert and professional advice, face to face, and not over a telephone,

unless of course, that’s your preference. Additionally, apart from car, home and life cover, Liberty Seguros offers Marine, Commercial (office and industrial), Pet, Leisure (Golf and other pastimes and sports), Personal, and Public Liability Insurance too. To contract insurance from Liberty Seguros, you can telephone: 902 255 258 for an instant quote and the name of your nearest broker/agent, or visit: www.libertyexpatriates.es. Alternatively, if you know where your nearest broker is, pop in for this latest promotion and get your €50 cash-back! n

Cash-back offer on new policies

Seguros, confirms: “At Liberty Seguros we are totally transparent. Sure, there are minimum premiums with each of these special cash-back offers but clients can be assured that all of our brokers are fully briefed and will explain everything in detail before any policy is taken out. Anyone can put their trust in us without concern”. If you need car, home or life insurance, or perhaps you’re not happy with your current provider, now is the perfect time to contact Liberty Seguros to get these extra cashback offers! With Christmas just around the corner, €50

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

YOGA VIBE TENERIFE

Good vibrations Emily Evans, Yoga Vibe Tenerife

H10 Costa Adeje Palace every Wednesday and Sunday, both at 5.30pm. Additional to this, Emily also gives a weekly group class at the Activate Sports Club, Costa Adeje, every Thursday at 9.30am.

Private bookings

Yoga Vibe Tenerife is offering a ‘bono’ of 10 group sessions for free Improve your wellbeing with yoga

Yoga has endless benefits: strengthening, detoxing, nourishing, toning, and improving the body, as well as preventing and often eradicating a number of physical conditions. Contact them today about private classes and options tailor-made to your personal situation. Emily said: “When you experience freedom from the aches and pains you’ve got ‘used to living with’, finally feeling how good your body should feel, you won’t ever give it up! I hope to share the Yoga Vibe Tenerife complete mind and body workout with you soon.”

Current special offer Yoga Vibe Tenerife, based in the south of Tenerife, is a fitness group that focuses on optimising individuals’ wellbeing through the disciplines of yoga techniques and philosophy. Emily Evans explains the group’s inception: “Yoga has had such a profound effect on my life, I simply felt compelled to share it with others”. Emily studied intensively with Agama Yoga in Thailand as well as in Rishikesh, fondly known as the ‘yoga capital of the world’, situated at the

foothills of the Himalayas in North India. “I teach through modification as I strongly believe Yoga should be available to everybody, so that complete beginners to advanced students can reap the rewards of the practice, regardless of their level of fitness and flexibility, which of course develops with practice”, Emily added.

Group sessions Yoga Vibe Tenerife has a wide range of practitioners, aged

between 14 and 89 years old. Private classes can be booked, as well as group sessions currently taking place five times a week. The ‘Ocean Breeze’ group classes take place at Kaluna Beach Club in Costa Adeje every Monday at 10am and every Friday at 9am. There are also group meetings in Costa Adeje in front of the ocean on the walkway between the Sheraton La Caleta Resort and

For a limited time, Yoga Vibe Tenerife is offering a ‘bono’ of 10 group sessions for free (excluding the Activate Sports Club session). Alternatively, one private class will be given for free.

NEW IMAGE

Fresh and modern Since 2011, the northern town of Puerto de La Cruz has been undergoing a renewal process in order to reposition its image which, before the south was developed, was once the island’s fortress for tourism. For this reason, the island government, Tenerife’s tourism office and the Puerto de La Cruz council cooperate in a so-called rehabilitation consortium. In addition to the renewal of the hotels on offer, the modernisation of the environment and new streets will create a fundamental redefinition which will be used for communication in the tourism markets. With this new image the inhabitants of the town should be able to fully identify themselves. This is why many traditional elements, fiestas and, above all, a broad cultural programme are part of the concept which was recently presented.

Fresh and new Puerto de La Cruz wants to be perceived as authentic, optimistic and honest: a resort that allows its visitors to fall in love with its charming flair. The town’s ‘language’ is friendly and lovable, modern, and close to the people. Puerto de La Cruz welcomes guests who travel to expand their horizons and experience other cultures first hand. The statement says: “We want to show what Puerto de La Cruz is like. A place that stimulates the senses, where good things happen and which will create lifelong memories for all the visitors.” This repositioning in the tourism market is based on a town that generates beautiful memories and is characterised by its authenticity. To communicate this new image, the strategy builds on three basic pillars: its wide range of activities, because there is much to experience and to see in the town, and in addition, it is surrounded by a charming countryside that can be enjoyed by land, water and air. The second important factor is the wide cultural life that the town offers; and last but not least, the local cuisine is also considered an important aspect. There are not only excellent typical Canarian restaurants but also specialities from other countries, from Vietnam to South America. The campaign, which has been launched online at: www. visitpuertodelacruz.com, is aimed at both visitors and locals alike. Its goal is to encourage visitors to come to Puerto de La Cruz and enjoy the experience, while local people are encouraged to do everything they can to put the town and its charm firmly on the map, with that friendliness and togetherness which can be felt throughout the area. n

Contact Email Emily about this fantastic offer on: emily@yogavibetenerife.com. Join the Facebook group on: www.facebook. com/YogaTenerifeYogaVibe, or visit the official website: www. yogavibetenerife.com. n

Puerto de La Cruz, a town with history and charm

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

An evening with ESTA The English Speaking Theatrical Association (ESTA) is performing at the Teatro Timanfaya in Puerto de La Cruz on October 28 and 29, and they hope you can all come along to lend your support. ESTA has a one act play called Alive in the Grave followed by The Spice of Life, a miscellany of variety for the second half. Tickets are available from committee members or by calling: 922 575 165. Alternatively, they are also available at the theatre on the evening of the performance. On January 26, 27 and 28, the association will be performing their take on the popular pantomime, Dick Whittington. The show will have the usual comedy, audience participation, and music expected for a fun, seasonal extravaganza. This will also take place at the Teatro Timanfaya. All updates and news are available on the association’s web page: www.facebook.com/ ESTATenerife. n

ESTA will perform Dick Whittington on January 26, 27 and 28, 2017 ESTA is performing at the Teatro Timanfaya on October 28 and 29

CANARY ISLANDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

SANTA CRUZ PORT

Drug smuggler nicked Guardia Civil officers on duty at the Santa Cruz port recently arrested a 33-year old man who had arrived on the ferry from Agaete in Gran Canaria. During routine passenger and goods checks, the officers interviewed this man whose suspicious behaviour and strange responses to questions led to his baggage being searched. Inside, the officers found a black container for nutritional products which was labelled as containing amino acid pills. It actually contained cotton bags filled with 95 pink triangular and 45 blue rectangular tablets. Officers also found a plastic box and a sealed bag containing a brown substance. A subsequent laboratory analysis revealed that it was methamphetamine in various forms. The suspect was arrested for drug trafficking, and the drugs and cash that he was carrying were seized. Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug, which is also known as crystal meth. It strengthens, at least temporarily, selfconfidence, and gives a feeling of euphoria. The downside is that the possible side effects could include psychosis and paranoia. The substance makes users dependent on it, and at the same time loses its effect with frequent use, so the dose needs to be constantly increased to maintain a high. In the Second World War, methamphetamine was distributed to millions of soldiers, pilots and vehicle drivers. It was used to keep them awake. High doses were given to Japanese Kamikaze pilots

Crystal meth, the raw material methamphetamine, and cash were confiscated

before their suicide missions. There were several names for the drug, including Stuka tab-

lets, Hermann-Göring pills, and Pilots' marzipan. The active ingredient enhances perfor-

mance and concentration, and reduces fatigue, anxiety, hunger and pain. n

CANARY ISLANDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

ROTEX

Your master workshop Always introducing something new and different, the German master workshop Rotex in Adeje offers everything that you need to take good care of your car. The Rotex team can offer all types of quality mechanical work, bodywork repairs and paint spraying at their spacious workshop which occupies 1,200 square metres. They are happy to deal with all insurance companies, have state of the art diagnostic technology, and offer you a friendly and efficient service in your language, as English, German and Spanish are spoken. The latest novelty at Rotex is the introduction of their own house engineer, adding a wealth of services to the already lengthy list. These new services will especially benefit anyone importing a vehicle into Spain. Imagine that you are planning to bring your vehicle to Tenerife from Northern Europe. First you are faced with the time and cost of bringing it here on

Rotex is located directly opposite the ITV station

Rotex S.L. Calle Bentinerfe 5 Los Olivos Industrial estate. Adeje Tel: 922 102 617 Open: Monday to Friday, 8am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm

the ferry. You can only legally keep a foreign registered vehicle here on the island for six months so if you want to keep your car here for longer than that, you must have it regis-

cal and legal terms in Spanish, the whole thing can become a nightmare, not to mention the ins and outs of the Spanish laws which can resemble a minefield!

Inside the spacious Rotex workshop There’s plenty of off-street parking for customers’ vehicles

tered with Spanish plates, and that it not as easy as it sounds. A series of documents are required for this process, applications need to be made in a certain order, and if you are not conversant with techni-

Unfortunately it is a European Union law that you register your vehicle within six months of your arrival, and if you are a Spanish resident then you only have 30 days in which to accomplish what appears to be a major feat. You will probably hear conflicting advice from the people that you talk to, and confused, you won't know what to do or how to do it. If you try to go it alone, you could well end up paying dearly in unnecessary taxes, and what would happen if your foreign registered car was involved in an accident? If you break the registration laws here, your car could be impounded on the spot and you could face a heavy fine! It doesn't bear thinking about, so why not con-

sult the experts, get the job done properly, and relax? With their own specialist engineers, Rotex is now also able to offer special services which cover the whole process, such as homologations, imported vehicles, ITV testing, special applications, dealing with the official traffic authorities as well as the tax office, requesting new vehicle documents, registration for vintage vehicles, conversion and legalisation for disabled vehicles, vehicle transmission and certificate of conformity (COC) documents. Rotex can efficiently deal with the whole process from start to finish, in the most economic way. There will be no stress for you, and you won't pay any unnecessary taxes. Since the ITV vehicle testing station opened in Adeje, right opposite the workshop, Rotex has also been working on fully preparing vehicles for ITV tests. This pre-ITV service includes checking exhaust gas emissions, brakes, tyres, lighting and more to ensure that your car passes the test with flying colours. They offer a fast service for all ITV customers, and on request, Rotex can even take your vehicle through the test for you for only €19.90. That's even more stress taken off your shoulders! As well as the vehicle workshop, which also includes specialist equipment for body repairs, such as paint spraying booths, Rotex has its own cafeteria which is ideal for customers who are waiting for their vehicle. You can pass the time away with a hot or cold drink and a snack in a pleasant atmosphere, either indoors or outside on the terrace. If you have children with you, there is a play area to keep them safe and amused too. Rotex is always busy, which is a testament to their quality service and the fact that their customers return time and time again, but they always find the time to make each one feel special. The workshop is very easy to find, from the motorway roundabout at the Armeñime end of Adeje, follow the road to the top, turn left at the roundabout and you'll find Rotex opposite the ITV station and next to Celgan. Visit Rotex once, discover their quality and service, and we are sure you'll return. n

GRAN CANARIA

Say cheese There are more than 100 dairy farms on Gran Canaria and around 80 of them are micro-enterprises, still using traditional methods. They mainly produce cheese from raw milk, often sourced from their own herds, a deeply-rooted practice in the island. For the first time ever, a grant has been made available to the sector to improve their installations and equipment. Gran Canaria’s Cabildo has budgeted up to €100,000 for the dairies this year, which should enable them to increase their production or expand their range and produce new cheese varieties, butter, curds, junkets and cream, etc. In a surprising move the money is available to the small businesses up front, with a maximum grant of 75 per cent of the total investment and a ceiling of €20,000. Those wishing to apply will have 20 days to do so from the publication of the official bulletin which is due out shortly. It’s a measure that should help these mainly artisan dairies to provide even more goodies for us all. n

Grants available to cheese-makers

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

RURAL HOTEL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

HOTEL EL NOGAL

A night to remember? very attractive. The grounds looked lovely as we drove in, and we passed a crystal clear open swimming pool as we lugged our cases to recep-

enclosed balcony with a couple of easy chairs. A huge stone fireplace dominated the bedroom, and, in view of the heat, the first job was to coax

tion. Formalities completed, we took the lift to the second floor and arrived at our room. Best described as monastic and of a bygone era, it nevertheless boasted en-suite facilities and a small

the air conditioning unit into life. It stood no chance with the high vaulted wooden ceiling. Pillows were of the (hateful) foam variety, and there were no towels or loo paper. Oh, and the cold tap in the

By John Hotel Rural El Nogal. We made We decided to take ourselves away to a rural hotel and see what we might expect from a new experience. There are many hotels that are listed under the Rural Hotel banner, offering differing levels of service and quality in different types of properties. The common theme comes under the heading of ‘rural’ situation. We chose one nearer to the south of Tenerife, but far away from the crowds in the bigger resorts. We stuck a pin in the map and settled on the

Hotel El Nogal Camino Real s/n, La Escalona, Vilaflor, Tenerife. Tel: 922 726 050 www.hotelnogal.com

the reservation through Booking.com and paid, in advance, the sum of €119 for one night dinner, bed and breakfast in a superior room complete with balcony. The plan was to extend for a second night if we liked the place. Would we get value for our money and enjoy our experience? So, off to a good start? Well, comments on TripAdvisor informed that the hotel was difficult to find and that it was nowhere near the town of Vilaflor, as stated by the search engine, and being reputedly the highest municipality in all of Spain. Was that to be a problem? No. We just drove there, using an old map, and found the hotel 6.5 kilometres south of Vilaflor. Though, as far as we could see, it was completely unsigned

until we almost tripped over it. As we approached in the afternoon sunshine, I stopped the car and said “Wow!” The property is an old 18th century mansion, renovated and extended, and visually

shower later splashed forth ever-increasing hot water. So, we passed the afternoon by going for a swim in that lovely pool. It would have been perfect if we could have received a cold drinks service. But service, overall, was lacking. That is not to say that the staff were unhelpful – quite the opposite. There were just not enough of them, and they had to multi-function. Dinner for us, on our inclusive terms, was to be a three course set menu with very limited choices. My starter was dry and overcooked, and my main course was, if possible, worse. Fortunately, a couple of beers beforehand, and then a nice bottle of wine, dulled the pain and disappointment. Perhaps we should have thrown caution – and expense – to the wind and gone for the extensive à la carte offer? Next morning, we explored another part of the great rambling mansion and ended up in the cellar (quite an attractive one, though) where breakfast – a self-service buffet – was laid out. Make your own toast, make your own tea from a machine, swat the flies off the uncovered plates of meat and cheese, you know the script. Anyone to clear away afterwards? No, no service here at all! And so we packed, paid an extras bill of €30 for drinks and wine, and bade our farewell to El Nogal. We had expected so much more, but it had delivered so much less. With some care, attention to detail and direction, it could have been stunning. In the end, though, it was an easy decision not to stay that extra night. n

GENERAL INFORMATION

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

General information for visitors Medical Card or equivalent document, which can be applied for in your home country. It doesn’t cover all treatments; excluding dental treatment, except for emergency extractions, and repatriation due to illness. If you are ill, find a Centro de Salud or Centro Médico. The ones in the tourist resorts generally speak some English. Make sure they provide care under your insurance policy or EHIC before you sign for anything. Unscrupulous taxi

Safety Only take out credit and bank cards you actually need: leave the rest in the hotel safe, along with your passport and other valuables. A UK driving licence with a photograph is usually accepted as ID for most credit card purchases, a photo credit card will still have to be accompanied by photo ID, daft, but there you are. Do not leave belongings unattended. Particular vigilance on the beach and when you are travelling with luggage is recommended. Cactus garden, Lanzarote

Benijo beach, Tenerife

Time zone: The time zone in the Canary Islands is the same as in the UK and Ireland. Foreign exchange The Spanish currency is the Euro. You can change currency in any bank by showing your passport (Mon – Fri, 8am – 2pm), or in the many exchange agencies in resorts. Can I drink the water? You can drink the tap water in the Canaries, but the change may affect your stomach. If your visit is short, it’s perhaps best to stick to bottled. Discounts Students and senior citizens may receive discounts on ferries, tickets to concerts, museums, etc., so always ask, as long as you can provide ID to prove it. Shopping Normal opening hours in the Canaries are from 10am to 1.30pm and 5pm to 8.30pm.

Juniper, El Hierro

However, in big tourist resorts and shopping centres the opening hours are longer, often from 10am until 10pm, sometimes even later. On Sundays and Bank Holidays only the shops in tourist resorts open. There is a flea market in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, every Sunday morning Duty Free Despite popular belief, it is generally cheaper to buy alcohol and tobacco on the Islands than on the plane or at the airport.

Limits are: 200 cigarettes/50 cigars/250grs rolling tobacco 1L spirits over 22% or 2L spirits under 22% 2L wine 60ml perfume, 250 ml eau de toilette Medical care All residents of the EU have the right to free medical and hospital care from Tenerife’s Public Health Service whilst on holiday (ie less than three months). To receive this you need to have the European

Teide National Park, Tenerife

drivers have been known to take back-handers for taking sick people to private clinics so make sure you are in the right place before paying.

Take the minimum with you on excursions and lock everything in the boot that you aren’t carrying with you and only access it where you are not overlooked. Do not leave anything in sight. Cars have been broken into for a beach towel before now. If you are at a bar or nightclub, don’t leave your drink unattended and avoid dark streets on the way home. The Islands are safer than many places in Europe, but there are always those who prey on the unaware: relaxing your vigilance could cost you dearly, not just in money but in precious holiday time - reporting the loss of a passport to the police for example and then the visits necessary to the consulates to replace it. Emergency number: (all Canaries) 112 Guardia Civil (all Canaries): 062 Blue Badge users Parking for Blue Badge holders in the Canaries is limited to the ‘disabled only’ (Minusválidos) parking spaces in each town. There are no concessions to park on yellow lines or anywhere else normal parking is not allowed. And even if you have a Blue Badge, don’t park in a disabled area which has a registration number marked on it – you will be fined and probably towed away. For further information: www.bluebadge-tenerife.com

Post Offices Open Monday to Saturday, generally 8.30am - 2.30pm. Some city offices open later.

Consulates British Consulate Tenerife: (0034) 922 286 653 British Consulate Gran Canaria: (0034) 902 109 356 Honorary British consulate Lanzarote: (0034) 928 262 508 Indian consulate: (0034) 922 241 416 Irish Consulate: (0034) 922 245 671 Consulates can issue passports, give information about medical care, education and legal matters, give assistance to people under arrest, under exceptional circumstances give you enough funds to be repatriated (on loan), and help you in the case of emergency/catastrophe. Inter island transport: Fred Olsen (Ferries): 902 100 107 www.fredolsen.es Naviera Armas (Ferries): 902 456 500 www.navieraarmas. com Binter (Flights) 902 391 392 www.bintercanarias.com Canary Fly: 902 808 065 Airport and flight Information: All Canarian airports are controlled by AENA. www.aenaaeropuertos.es Buses The transport company TITSA has buses that reach all corners of the island. The main bus station is in Santa Cruz, near the Adán Martín Auditorium. Clients can choose to purchase a ticket on the bus for each individual journey or to buy a Bono-bus ticket, a card which can be shared by various people and will mean saving up to 50 per cent of the fare, depending on the route. They are on sale in any of the TITSA bus stations and also in a number of kiosks and small establishments (often newsagents), identified with a green sticker on the window. If your Bono-bus has insufficient credit to purchase your last journey, the difference can be made up in cash on the bus, but not with another Bono-bus card. For information you can call TITSA on: (0034) 922 531 130 or see: www.titsa.com

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

GENERAL INFORMATION

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

Useful contacts Auditorio Adán Martín Tel: (0034) 922 568 600 www.auditoriodetenerife.com Teatro Guimerá, Plaza Isla de la Madera. Tel: (0034) 922 609 408/922 609 400 www.teatroguimera.es

Tenerife Santa Cruz Tourist Office, Plaza de España Tel: (0034) 922 281 287/922 289 287 Open Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm; Sat, Sun: 9.30am-1.30pm Taxis Tenerife taxis are white and, unless they are minivans, the maximum number of passengers is four, including children. Eurotaxis have ramps for wheelchairs. Eurotaxis, Santa Cruz: (0034) 609 867 581/607 612 816/629 132 269 Taxi Santa Cruz: (0034) 937 780 030 www.teletaxi.es Radiotaxi San Pedro: (0034) 922 310 000 Parque Marítimo César Manrique (next to the Auditorium) Open every day: Sun-Thurs: 10am-8pm, Fri, Sat: 10amMidnight Adults: €2.50, Children (under 12): €1.50, Over 65s: €1.50 Tel: (0034) 922 229 368 https://es-es.facebook.com/ parque.manrique Palmetum Open Tues – Sun, 11am - 2pm, 4pm-6pm. Adults: €4, Children (under 12): €2.80, Canarian residents €1/1.50 Tel: (0034) 697 651 127. info@palmetumsantacruz.com Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre (Nature and Man) Open Tues – Sat, 9am - 8pm; Sun, Mon, 10am - 5pm. Tel: (00 34) 922 535 816 www.museosdetenerife.org Museo Militar (Military Museum), C/ San Isidro. Tel: (0034) 922 274 224. Open: Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, ecocmar@et.mde.es Castillo de San Cristóbal, Plaza de España Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm www.museosdetenerife.org

La Laguna Tourist Office, Casa Alvaro Bracamonde, C/ La Carrera. Tel: (0034) 922 631 194/922 601 106. The tourist office offers a free guided route around the city. Call to make a reservation. Museo de Historia y Antropología de Tenerife, Casa Lercaro, C/ San Agustín. Open Tues Sat: 9am-8pm; Sun, Mon, Bank holidays: 10am - 5pm. www.museosdetenerife.org. Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos, Avda. Los Menceyes. Tel: (0034) 922 315 265. Open: Tues-Sat: 9am-8.pm. Sun, Mon, Bank holidays: 10am - 5pm. www.museosdetenerife.org. Radiotaxi La Laguna (0034) 922 255 555. Puerto de la Cruz Tourist Office, Casa de la Aduana, C/ Las Lonjas. Tel: (0034) 922 386 000. Centro de Información Turística, C/ Puerto Viejo. Tel: (0034) 922 370 243/922 388 777. Taxis: (0034) 922 378 999. Loro Parque, Avda. Loro Parque s/n Tel: (0034) 922 373 841 Open every day from 8.30am to 6.45pm www.loroparque.com Lago Martiánez Avda. De Cristóbal Colón, 1 Tel: (0034) 922 385 955 Taxis: Servitaxi (0034) 922 378 999 La Orotava Tourist Office C/ Calvario, 4 Tel: (0034) 922 323 041 Tenerife South Playa de Las Américas Tourist Office Plaza del Centro Comercial City Centre, Avda. Rafael Puig, 19. Tel: (0034) 922 797 668 Taxis: (0034) 922 715 407

Oficinas de Turismo: Avda. Juan Carlos I (Bus station) Tel: (0034) 922 730 133 Paseo Marítimo Playa de Las Vistas Tel: (0034) 922 787 011 Taxis: (0034) 922 747 511 Tourist Office Costa Adeje Avda. Litoral Playa Fañabé Tel: (0034) 922 716 539 Jungle Park: Urb. Las Águilas del Teide, s/n Tel: (0034) 922 729 806. www.aguilasjunglepark.com. Aqualand Avda. Austria, 15 Tel: (0034) 922 715 266. www.aqualand.es Twin tickets can be purchased for Aqualand and Jungle Park, see websites. Siam Park (The Water Kingdom) Avda. Siam Park s/n. Tel: (0034) 822 070 000. Twin Tickets can be purchased for Siam Park and Loro Parque. www.siampark.net Lost Property Offices Tenerife North Airport: (0034) 922 635 855 Tenerife South Airport: (0034) 922 759 391 Arona: (0034) 922 725 562 Costa Adeje: (0034) 922 710 606 La Laguna: (0034) 922 608 805/922 251 080 Puerto de la Cruz: (0034) 922 378 448 S. Cruz: (0034) 922 606 354

Gran Canaria

La Gomera

La Palma

Tourism Board C/ Triana, Las Palmas. Tel: (0034) 928 219 600. www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo.

San Sebastián Tourist Office C/ Real, 4. www.sansebastiandelagomera. org/turismo/

La Palma Tourist Office Avda. Blas Pérez González s/n Tel: (0034) 922 412 106 www.visitlapalma.es

Taxis: (0034) 922 870 524

Taxis: Radiotaxis La Palma: (0034) 922 181 396 www.taxilapalma.com: 686 553868 Radiotaxi San Miguel: (0034) 922 416 070

Las Canteras Tourist Office Paseo de la Playa de Las Canteras (opposite the Hotel Meliá) Tel: (0034) 928 446 824. www.lpavisit.com. Las Dunas Tourist Office Avda. De Tirajana (Hotel Riu Maspalomas), Playa del Inglés. Tel: (0034) 928 765 242. Island Tourist Board Avda. España (Yumbo shopping centre), Playa del Inglés. Tel: (0034) 928 771 550. www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo.

Swedish Church Abroad Coronel, s/n, Los Cristianos, Arona. Tel: (0034) 922 75 00 68

Taxis Valley Gran Rey: (0034) 922 805 058 Playa Santiago Tourist Office Avda. Marítima, s/n. Tel: (0034) 922 895 650 playasantiago@lagomera.travel

Los Llanos de Aridane Tourist Offices: Avda. Dr. Flemming, s/n Tel: (0034) 922 402 583 / (0034) 922 402 528 www.lapalmacit.com Llano de Argual, 31 (also handicraft shop) Tel: (0034) 922 401 899

Taxis: (0034) 922 895 698 Taxi rank: (0034) 922 462 001 www.taxilapalma.com / (0034) 686 553 868

El Portón Tourist Office El Portón Shopping Centre, Playa del Inglés. www.turismo.maspalomas. com.

Puerto Naos Tourist Office Puerto Naos car park Tel: 618 856 516 Fuencaliente Tourist Office Plaza Minerva, s/n (Minerva Square) Tel: (0034) 922 444 003

Religious Services In Spain, Catholicism is the main religion and almost all towns and cities, including tourist resorts, have churches where mass is frequently held. Below is information about Catholic services held in languages other than Spanish and services for other faiths. Holy Communion Anglican Church, Iglesia de San Eugenio, Las Américas. Tel: (0034) 922 793 143 Services: Sundays at 10.15am Anglican church, Puerto de la Cruz www.allsaintstenerife.com/ Evangelical Service Centro Apolo, 1ª planta, Los Cristianos, Arona. Tel: (0034) 922 792 007 Services: Sundays at 11am and 6pm

Valle Gran Rey Tourist Office C/ La Noria, 2, La Playa. Tel: (0034) 922 805 458 www.lagomera.travel/islascanarias/la-gomera/es/acerca/ visitar-valle-gran-rey/

Taxis: (0034) 922 434 071 www.taxilapalma.es

Fuerteventura Puerto del Rosario Tourist Office Avda. De la Constitución, 5 Tel: (0034) 928 530 844

Lanzarote Arrecife Tourist Office Parque José Ramírez Cerdá s/n Tel: (0034) 928 813 174 www.turismolanzarote.com

Taxis: (0034) 928 850 059 / 928 850 216 Corralejo Tourist Office Plaza Grande de Corralejo Tel. (0034) 928 866 235 Taxis: (0034) 928 866 108

Costa Teguise Tourist Office Avda. Islas Canarias s/n Tel: (0034) 928 592 542 www.turismoteguise.com Teguise Tourist Office Plaza de La Constitución, s/n Tel (0034) 928 845 398 www.turismoteguise.com

Morro Jable Tourist Office Avda. Saladar, Jandía shopping centre Tel: (0034) 928 540 776 turismo@playasdejandia.com Taxis: (0034) 928 541 257

Caldera de Taburiente National Park www.visitlapalma.es/recursos/recurso-parque-nacionalde-la-caldera-de-taburiente / www.reddeparquesnacionales. mma.es Theme Parks Maro Parque, Breña Alta. Tel:(0034) 922 417 782. www.maroparque.com Palmex Cactus, El Paso Tel: (0034) 922 464 862 Paraíso de las Aves, El Paso Tel: (0034) 922 485 701 All information was correct at the time of going to press. Please confirm before travelling.

SPIN NEWS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

400TH ANNIVERSARY

Celebrating Cervantes

A series of talks and concerts in Tenerife and Gran Canaria is set to take place over the

SPANISH ROCK Coque Malla, frontman of Los Ronaldos, a leading group on the Spanish musical scene during the 1980s and 90s, will be bringing his smooth sounds to Tenerife and Gran Canaria at the beginning of November. Famous for his sincere enthusiasm, Malla is once again lighting up stages with his winning personality. After his break from Los Ronaldos and a prolonged absence, his solo album Mujeres (Women) was an instant sell-out success. The singer from Madrid is back with his latest disc, entitled El último hombre en la Tierra (The last man on Earth). An elegant fusion of rock, pop and blues with symphonic surprises, great tunes and emotive lyrics, this

next couple of months in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the death of liter-

ary legend Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. Cervantes was a Spanish author who is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language and one of the world’s pre-eminent novelists. His major work Don Quixote is a classic of Western literature, has been translated into almost 50 different languages, and is considered to be the first modern novel. His influence on the Spanish language and the literary world in general is such that he is often likened to Shakespeare. In celebration of the author’s life, the Canarian Royal Academy of Fine Arts, in conjunction with the Mapfre Guanarteme Foundation, will be running a number of events until December 21. Highlights of these in Tenerife include a conference starting 7.30pm on November 3, given by academic, journalist and music critic Guillermo García-Alcalde Fernández, who will speak about Don Quixote’s inspiration on four centuries of music. There will also be the premiere

of a unique cello and piano recital by Juan Pablo Alemán and Sergio Alonso, entitled Alonso Quijano’s ingenuity and madness, and directed by Juan Manuel Marrero. This will take place at the premises of the Institución Académica de Santa Cruz (Racba), in Plaza Ireneo González, as will all the events on the island. On November 23, La Laguna based chamber choir Camerata Lacunensis will give a concert of works by Canarian composers based on Cervantes’ writings, starting at 8pm. On December 20, soprano Stephanie Perdomo and baritone Augusto Brito will be accompanied on piano by Nauzet Mederos, once again singing the joys of texts by the great author, starting at 8pm. There will be a number of other talks (in Spanish) and all of the above activities will also take place at the Mapfre Guanarteme headquarters in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria either the day before or after the dates listed above. See: www.racba. es for full information. n

Malla gets cocky is definitely one concert not to be missed. Featuring in the Mar Abierto Festival, you can see Coque Malla on November 4 in Tenerife at the Teobaldo Power Auditorium in La Orotava and on November 5 at the Victor Jara Theatre in Vecindario, Gran Canaria. Both concerts start at 9pm and tickets cost €15 at the Teobaldo Power and €20 in Gran Canaria. In Tenerife they can be bought from the Tres de Mayo and Meridiano Commercial Centres in Santa Cruz; the El Trompo shopping centre in La Orotava; and Gran Sur in Adeje. Tickets can also be purchased from the following websites: www.festivalmarabierto. com and www.entrees.es. n

ELITE SOUNDS

Mini music fest La Orotava’s annual Élite Festival will set the town alight with non-stop music on October 29. For the fourth year running, the Parque de Doña Chana will be the venue for a variety of bands that will provide the night’s entertainment from 8pm onwards. Headliners are Fuel Fandango, a duo formed of producer Alejandro Acosta (of the Mojo Project) and singer Cristina Manjón, who will be thrilling crowds with tunes from their latest album Aurora, a fabulous mix of electro and funk with hints of flamenco. Amatria will be adding their electronic pop sounds, whilst new wave dance band Oblique is set to keep the audience dancing. Next up is popular Canarian group La Perra de Pavlov, followed by The Weeird, a post punk band based in Tenerife but influenced by the Manchester sound. A DJ session with Juana la Cubana tops the night off, and all for just €15 if you buy your ticket up front or €18 on the day. Check out: www.laorotava.es or catch the latest news on facebook.com/elitefestivaltenerife. Purchase tickets via: www.tomaticket.es. n

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

SPIN NEWS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

GUÍA DE ISORA

VOCAL SIETE

Shop and visit

Photo: Mario Alberto Magallanes Trejo / FreeImages.com

There are a multitude of good reasons to visit the area of Guía de Isora in the southwest of Tenerife, including the excellent permanent weekly markets in Alcalá and Playa San Juan. The Alcalá market takes place on a Monday in the main square (Plaza del Llano) of the village of the same name, next to the sea. The San Juan market is on a Wednesday by the church in the centre of the town (Plaza de La Iglesia). Both of them are usually up and running by around 8am and start to pack up from 1pm onwards. They sell a range of goods that include clothes, bags, gifts, handmade crafts and local produce, as well as offering a variety of charity and book stalls. They are also a good excuse to visit the local area where you will find plenty of bars, restaurants and shops plus some delightful coastal walks, so you can not only grab yourself a bargain but there is plenty to do for a whole day out. See: www.guiadeisora.org for more information. n

LA OROTAVA ART

Meditative muse

An exhibition of paintings by Riitta Marjamaa in La Orotava aims to bring peace and tranquillity to those who visit it. Originally from Finland, Marjamaa has lived in Tenerife since 2009. A psychotherapist and art historian, her latest collection entitled Lugares Tranquilos: un momento para meditar (Tranquil spaces: a moment for meditation) invites viewers to find a space for introspection, somewhere “they are able to find themselves and fuse with nature.” The exhibition can be seen at the San Agustín Casa de La Cultura, Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm, until November 2. See the local council website at: www.laorotava.es. n

Seven tones

Catch the wonderful Vocal Siete concert at the Infanta Leonor Auditorium in Los Cristianos on October 29. This intriguing Canarian band consists of seven musicians, each from a different discipline, plus one rather clever sound engineer. Their repertoire combines a number of genres, musical styles and eras, from rock by U2, reggae by Bob Marley, Spanish pop from the 80s and 90s, and a fusion of other Latin rhythms, all executed using only the singers’ voices and plenty of body percussion. With each title performed ‘a cappella’, the group manages to reproduce instruments such as drums, trumpets, pianos and guitars, all in a fun and engaging style. Starting out in 2007, and popular from the beginning, Vocal Siete has toured the Islands and given concerts as far afield as Vienna, Hannover and Mex-

CLOWNBARET FESTIVAL Circus workshops, clowns, juggling, acrobatics and much more await visitors to the Clownbaret International Festival (FIC), which will be held from November 4 to 13. The annual FIC get together, now in its 10th year, showcases circus and clowning theatre arts at a local, national and international level. The events bring mime, music, magic, humour and imagination to audiences, as well as offering the chance for children of all ages to try out many of the skills and meet the artists. A total of 16 different performing arts companies will be taking part this year, bringing a range of styles and influences from the world of clowning around. From traditional tricks to contemporary comedians, there will never be a dull moment for audiences or participants.

ico. They have also participated in numerous advertising campaigns for radio and television channels. The group has now released a second album, called Con Voz Propia (With your own voice) which includes several cover versions of popular songs plus three originals, each written by the group’s musical director and tenor, Manuel Estupiñán. The band’s other members are Domingo Quintana, Ruben Sanchez, Felix Padron, Ubaldo Garcia, Feliz Lopez and Luke Arencibia. The harmonic show starts at 8.30pm and entrance costs just €7. Tickets can be purchased via the website at: www.arona.org, by visiting the Los Cristianos Cultural Centre between the hours of 9am and 2pm, Monday to Friday, or from the auditorium’s box office two hours before the show on the day (until 8.15pm). n

Clowning around

Though much of the action will take place in various plazas and theatres in Santa Cruz, via the ‘Payasos en Ruta’ pro-

gramme, various events will also be visiting the boroughs of Guía de Isora, Adeje, San Juan de La Rambla, El Sauzal,

Santiago del Teide and Vilaflor. See: www.festivalinternacionalclownbaret.com for more information. n

WHATS ON 2016

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER

GRAN CANARIA DIARY DATES October 28 8pm: Concert, Los Contratiempos, San Martín Centro de Cultura Contemporánea, Las Palmas, €5. www.sanmartincontemporaneo.com November 2 7.30pm: Talk on ‘Don Quixote inspiring four centuries of music’ by journalist and music critic Guillermo García-Alcalde Fernandez, plus cello and piano recital by Juan Pablo Alemán and Sergio Alonso, Mapfre Guanarteme headquarters, Las Palmas. www.racba.es November 4 8.30pm: John Pizzarelli Quartet, Jazz concert, Teatro Cuyás, Las Palmas, €15 - €30. www. teatrocuyas.com November 5 9pm: Concert by Coque Malla, ex front-man of Los Ronaldos, a leading 1980s and 90s Spanish rock/pop group, Victor Jara Theatre, Vecindario, Gran Canaria, €20. www.festivalmarabierto.com / www.entrees.es.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

EXHIBITIONS Until October 30 Espejismo abstracto (Abstract illusion), 50 works from Gran Canaria artist José Rosario Godoy, San Martín Centro de Cultura Contemporánea, Las Palmas. Free entry, Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 9pm, Sundays 10am – 2pm. www.sanmartincontemporaneo.com

Parque de Doña Chana, La Orotava, €15 up front, €18 on the day, www.tomaticket.es. 8.15pm: Film ‘El camino más largo’, about Enrique Bunbury, ex singer of Héroes del Silencio, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, free entry, reservation must be made at the theatre box office 48 hours before. www.docurock.es.

November 4 - 13

Until November 11 Artemages, collection of four artists from the APRESTO collective, Centro Cultural Cicca, Monday to Friday, 10am - 1.30pm and 5.30pm – 9pm. www.fundacionlacajadecanarias.es

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER

TENERIFE

DIARY DATES October 27 7.30pm: Opera buffa, Don Pasqual, Adán Martín Auditorium, Santa Cruz, from €5. www. auditoriodetenerife 8pm: Jazz concert by renowned artists the Gonzalo Rubalcaba Quartet, Espacio Cultural CajaCanarias, Santa Cruz, €18. www.cajacanarias.com

November 7 - 13

10pm: Concert by Arizona Baby, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, free entry, reservation must be made via: www.tomaticket.es. www.docurock.es. October 30 5pm: Documentary on 25 years of pop/rock music in the Canary Islands from the personal experience of Ginés Cedrés, singer from Los Coquillos, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, free entry, reservation must be made at the theatre box office 48 hours before. www.docurock.es. 6pm: Concert from the Tinerfeña XXVI Congress of the Federation of Bands, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos, free entry. www. arona.org 6pm: Opera buffa, Don Pasqual, Adán Martín Auditorium, Santa Cruz, from €5. www.auditoriodetenerife 7.30pm: Documentary on Janis Joplin based on letters she wrote to friends and family, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, free entry, reservation must be made at the theatre box office 48 hours before. www.docurock.es. 8.30pm: Pedro Guerra in concert, El Sauzal Auditorium, El Sauzal, €15. www.tomaticket.es.

9pm: III Charity Gala Drag to raise funds for the Ámate Tenerife Association of women with breast cancer, Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos, €6. www.arona.org. November 3

Until December 25 11.30am – 1pm, every Sunday: Folk dancing, Pueblo Canario, Las Palmas. http://blog. lpavisit.com Until December 27 4pm – 11pm, every Wednesday, Friday & Sunday: Craft fair, Centro Comercial El Portón, San Agustín, San Bartolomé de Tirajana. www.maspalomas.com

7.30pm: Opera buffa, Don Pasqual, Adán Martín Auditorium, Santa Cruz, from €5. www. auditoriodetenerife.com 7.45pm: Film ‘Cobain: Montage of Heck’, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, free entry, reservation must be made at the theatre box office 48 hours before. www.docurock.es. October 29 7.30pm: Opera buffa, Don Pasqual, Adán Martín Auditorium, Santa Cruz, from €5. www. auditoriodetenerife 8pm: Élite Festival, mini electronic and indie music fest, Groups include Fuel Fandango, Amatria, Oblique, La Perra de Pavlov and The Weeird, plus DJing from Juana la Cubana,

7.30pm: Commemorative event for the 400th anniversary of the death of author Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, talk on ‘Don Quixote inspiring four centuries of music’ by academic, journalist and music critic Guillermo García-Alcalde Fernandez, plus cello and piano recital by Juan Pablo Alemán and Sergio Alonso, Institución Académica de Santa Cruz (Racba), Plaza Ireneo González, Santa Cruz. www.racba.es November 4

Until November 10 Photography competition ‘Cien años en la red de Parques Nacionales’ (100 years in the National Parks’ network). www.tenerinfo.com November 11 8.30pm: Opera with the Cámera de Canarias, Teatro Leal, La Laguna, €15 - €29. www.teatroleal.es Until further notice Open air cinema at the Magma Centre, Adeje, from €4 for residents, many films in the original language. See: www.openaircinematenerife.es for programme and non-resident prices. Every Saturday morning Events for specific groups, families, seniors, women etc., Activate Sports Club. www.tenerifeactivate.com.

Until November 2 Lugares Tranquilos: un momento para meditar (Tranquil spaces: a moment for meditation), collection of works by Finnish painter, psychotherapist and art historian Riitta Marjamaa, San Agustín Casa de La Cultura, Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm. www.laorotava.es Until November 20 Paintings, Carmen Cólogan, Bosque de islarios, TEA Tenerife Espacio de Las Artes, Santa Cruz, free entry, Tuesday - Sunday, 10am 8pm. www.teatenerife.es Until December 11 Photos and audiovisual art, ‘Recherchez les femmes’, TEA Tenerife Espacio de Las Artes, Santa Cruz, free entry, Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 8pm. www.teatenerife.es

Photo: Teatroguimera.es

October 28 Maspalomas Winter Pride, 15 different events, Maspalomas, San Bartolomé de Tirajana. www. winterpridemaspalomas.com

Clownbaret International Festival (FIC), circus workshops, clowns, juggling, acrobatics, mime, music, magic and comedy, 16 different performing arts companies, various plazas and theatres around Santa Cruz. www.festivalinternacionalclownbaret.com

EXHIBITIONS

October 31

8pm: Flamenco by Yolanda G Sobrado, Mar de Mares (Sea of oceans), Infanta Leonor Auditorium, Los Cristianos, €11. www.arona.org

9pm: Concert by Coque Malla, ex frontman of Los Ronaldos, a leading 1980s and 90s Spanish rock/pop group, El último hombre en la Tierra Tour (The last man on Earth), Teobaldo Power Auditorium, La Orotava, €15, buy tickets from the Tres de Mayo and Meridiano Commercial Centres in Santa Cruz; the El Trompo shopping centre in La Orotava; and Gran Sur in Adeje or via: www.festivalmarabierto.com / www.entrees.es

8.30pm: Piano concert by Carmen París, Teatro Guimerá, Santa Cruz, €16 & €18. www. tomaticket.es

Until December 31 Retrospective collection of surreal images by 20th century painter Óscar Domínguez: Entre el mito y el sueño (Between the myth and dream), TEA Tenerife Espacio de Las Artes, Santa Cruz, free entry, Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 8pm. www.teatenerife.es

For regular church, charity and recreational events, please see: www.islandconnections.eu/1000003/1000027/0/41004/living-lifestyle-article.html

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

BLEVINS FRANKS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

Tax planning in today’s world “Tax planning remains an important part of protecting your wealth and retirement income, but it can be quite a minefield, particularly if you have cross-border interests.”

By Paul Montague, Partner, Blevins Franks

Tax planning remains an important part of protecting your wealth and retirement income, but it can be quite a minefield these days, particularly if you have crossborder interests. You need detailed, up-to-date knowledge of local, UK and international tax regimes and regulations to be able to achieve the best results for yourself and your heirs. There are two key tax planning issues you need to consider: 1. That the arrangements you use are fully compliant and that you are fully declaring your worldwide assets and income as required by law. 2. That the arrangements you use are suitable for you, and will achieve your aims and work well in Spain and the UK. While some arrangements can seem similar, the tax benefits they provide can vary significantly.

Modelo 720 The Spanish Tax Authority is becoming very proficient at detecting and preventing tax evasion. The introduction of the Modelo 720 in 2012 was a game changer in terms of the information it collects

and uses to monitor taxpayers’ overseas assets. Everyone resident in Spain needs to annually report their non-Spanish assets over €50,000. This is separate to income and wealth tax returns, with its own reporting requirements. The penalties for failing to declare assets are particularly harsh.

Automatic exchange of information Next year tax authorities start to receive information on their taxpayers’ overseas assets and income under the Common Reporting Standard. This is the new automatic exchange

of information regime that is being implemented by around 100 countries in the world. The authorities will be in a position to compare the information received on an individual with his tax returns and find any discrepancies. In Spain they will also compare with the Modelo 720.

Tax efficient investment arrangements If you have not already done so, this is the time to review your tax planning arrangements to ensure you comply with your tax and reporting obligations, including for income that is taxed in another country. You should also look to shelter assets from tax using compliant arrangements. Tax efficient investment wrappers, offered through a Spanish compliant bond, can be very effective for Spanish residents. These ‘portfolio bonds’ are successfully used by expatriates living here for tax and succession planning, but there are various types of bonds available with different tax treatment. Both the type

of product and jurisdiction can make a difference to the advantages they offer. In today’s world, specialist advice for your tax and succession planning is essential to establish the most suitable approach for you and your family. You need an adviser who is fully conversant with Spanish and UK tax law, who analyses tax reforms and keeps your wealth management up-to-date with any changes. Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice. Blevins Franks provides tailor-made advice on investment strategies, tax mitigation and estate planning. It has decades of experience advising British expatriates in Spain. Contact Paul Montague on 922 716 079 or paul.montague@blevinsfranks.com. www.blevinsfranks.com

BUSINESS

RAYNOR MASSAGE

Elaine Whillock is the personal massage therapist for Bulldog Gym in Las Chafiras â&#x20AC;&#x201C; home to many professional and Olympic Athletes. Elaine initially trained at The Carlton Institute in Windsor then a few years later trained in Hawaii at The Brandon Raynor College of Massage and Natural Therapies. Elaine is one of only a few worldwide who was individually trained to Advanced Level in Raynor Massage by Brandon Raynor himself. Raynor Massage is a highly specialised system of bodywork derived from Eastern Influences such as shiatsu, ayurveda, acupressure with yoga breath work, and reflexology. It is extremely effective in treating back problems and sports injuries, as well as mental and emotional conditions. Ian Edwards, owner of Bulldog Gym, said: "We first discovered Elaine in 2012 after one of our Jujitsu team members became seriously injured. He had been to see many therapists on the island and spent a considerable amount of money

Bulldog therapy

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

Elaine Whillock (centre), personal massage therapist for Bulldog Gym

trying to solve the problem but to no avail. Elaine successfully fixed him in just three sessions and had our man back on the mats in no time. Elaine's reputation quickly grew throughout

our professional clientele, and we made no hesitation in inviting her to be the personal therapist for Bulldog, where she runs her busy and successful practice within our premises."

With a growing reputation throughout Europe, Elaine remains the first choice for the Swedish and Norwegian Cycling Teams on their annual training camp to the island.

She is also the personal therapist for the world-leading jujitsu professor Ben Poppleton, founder of BJJ Tenerife; Kevin Summers, 7th Dan Taekwondo Master and founder of

Independent Martial Arts Europe; and Anthony Yigit, the Swedish boxing champion. For the past three years Elaine has been continually invited by Russian government officials to provide therapeutic massage during their annual stay on the island. Elaine is also a fully qualified Person-Centred Counsellor, and worked for many years as a registered therapist for COSCA (Confederation of Scottish Counselling Agencies). With her previous years of counselling experience, Elaine has developed a trusted and respected reputation throughout the island for helping people with alcohol and drug addictions, relationship breakdowns, and other different emotional and mental difficulties. Not only is she available for the sports industry, Elaine also enjoys combining her hand therapy with her years of professional counselling, helping people to achieve a better state of peace and happiness in their lives. n

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

BUSINESS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

REVS MOTORS LAS CHAFIRAS

Great car giveaway! Revs Motors Las Chafiras are giving away yet another car to one of their lucky clients. If you have been a customer of the company between the dates of October 25, 2015, and October 24, 2016, then you are one of the people who are eligible for the company’s incredible yearly draw. Not only that, but until October 28 anyone can try and guess the make and colour of the car which one very fortunate customer will drive away, and win a free service to the value of €120 on their own car. Revs Motors Las Chafiras will be holding their fifth birthday party at the Elephant Bar in Aldea Blanca on October 29, from 2pm until 6pm, and the draw to win the car will be made live on air with Ocean FM. Island Connections will even be there for photos and a report in the following edition, and any of the eligible customers who want to be in with a chance to win also have to be at the party. If you would like to have the opportunity to win the free service then all you have to do is visit the Keith Wendi Facebook page. And remember, Revs Motors Las Chafiras give a free car away every year! n

LA PALMA ROADSHOW

The French Connection The beautiful green island of La Palma has been officially presented to leading tour operators and travel agents in France. The recent meeting in Paris, which was also attended by airline representatives and the press, was organised by the island council and the communications company contracted for promotions abroad. La Palma’s tourism councillor Alicia Vanoostende was also present, while those attending were informed of the island’s natural landscapes, its charms, safety and gastronomy, as well as the sustainability of tourism in La Palma. Vanoostende said her tourism department was looking seriously at the French market, and that the aim was to arouse more interest among potential French tourists. She added that the regular flights this year from Paris, Lyon and Nantes to La Palma have been well received. Representatives of La Palma’s tourism department have also been spreading the word in Germany, the main tourism market for the island. During the winter season there will be over 15 direct flights connecting La Palma with Germany’s main cities. n

La Palma’s tourism department sees great potential for growth in France

FREE OPEN DAY

The legal effects of Brexit By De Cotta Law conventions that are not part of EU, if indeed it does. A lot Like many people who have lived and worked in Spain for many years, we were surprised by the outcome of the Brexit vote in June. However, if Brexit does take place one can be optimistic about some aspects of the legal framework in Spain. Firstly, there are likely to be a number of reciprocal arrangements between the UK and Spain in the future. At this stage nobody knows if these will continue but it should be borne in mind that there are more than three million Europeans living and working in the UK, and some countries will want to continue with existing arrangements. On an optimistic note, there are a number of treaties and

the legal framework of the EU. For example, the most recent Double Taxation relief treaty between the UK and Spain came into force in June 2014 and is binding for five years. This means individuals and companies will not be taxed twice on their income. Another Treaty which is important for families and to protect custody and visits rights for parents is the Hague Convention of 1996. Although this is largely known as the convention to prevent Child Abduction it also has provisions on visits, contact, cross border child protection and parental responsibility. There is a lot of debate about whether the Vienna Convention of 1969 will apply after Britain applies to leave the

of people are also asking if Brexit would affect the more recent EU regulation on Succession 650/2012. The good news here is that ironically the UK did not sign this regulation. However, Spain is a signatory so applies its provisions to citizens from other countries including those outside of the EU. So for example, an English person can ask for English law to be applied to their will. Spain’s own constitution protects the rights of anyone who is subject to discrimination on the grounds of race, gender or sexual orientation, and a surprising number of bilateral and international agreements which affect our daily lives don’t depend solely on EU membership.

De Cotta Law Open Day De Cotta Law, the firm of English lawyers and Spanish abogados with offices in the Canary Islands and Spain, is holding an Open Day in Tenerife on November 14 from 10am to 5pm. Specialist solicitor Jonathan Sutton will be available for free consultations on English and Spanish wills, probate and inheritance, and personal injury. All attendees will also have the possibility to meet and receive information and free financial advice from Paul Montague of Blevins Franks, who will also be present throughout the day. To book your private consultation, please call our office on: 922 719 520, or send an email to: tenerife@decottalaw.net. Website: www.decottalaw.com. n

PAPER CHASE

The return of the swallows Sponsored by the Free Advice Centre Tenerife (FACT) If you are one of the swallows who are lucky enough to flit about between the UK and Tenerife, you may just have found your way back to the island to avoid the chill in the UK. Tenerife can be a fantastic place to stay, whether you live here permanently, are just visiting, or manage to spend a good part of the year here. However, one thing that peo-

ple do find difficult to cope with is of course the admin. If you don’t speak Spanish, things can be confusing, but also the admin systems, the lack of signposting and sometimes basic assistance can make it difficult to do things yourself. There are some good websites and lots of advice out there, but unless you know where to go, which queue to join, even having all the right paperwork isn’t going to be enough!

There is no shame in getting someone to help you if you aren’t sure, and sometimes all you need is someone to point you in the right direction. Hot admin topics at the moment are the non-resident’s tax declaration which is due by the end of the year. This is compulsory for anyone who owns property here but isn’t fiscally resident, so doesn’t declare that property on another Spanish tax return. In addition, if you have had your NIE certificate, (whether

white with an expiry date, or green and more than five years old), you might be well advised to get an updated replacement. You may not be obliged to do so but you could find that your copy will not be accepted when you come to do any official business. For free advice and referrals, contact the Free Advice Centre (FACT) at their offices in Wheeler Dealer, Las Chafiras, in the afternoons. Alternatively, telephone: 922 738 500. n

GARDENING

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

EASY-CARE

Oleanders are so widely spread across all but the coldest regions of the world that their actual origin is unknown. One of the reasons they’re so common is their incredible adaptability. To be their absolute best they like plenty of sunshine and well-draining soil, but not excessively so. However, they can also get along in plenty of other soils, including very sandy and quite marshy areas. They are even happy growing right on the coast as they have a high tolerance of salt and can stand up to some pretty strong winds. Simply put, oleander plants can thrive in locations that many other plants cannot. Not only that, but they are an attractive bush with flowers that come in a variety of colours and shades, including lilac, red, yellow and copper, though here the whites and pinks tend to predominate.

Preparing to plant Oleanders make a fine addition to the garden simply on their

The plants can be supported with a stake to help maintain their position until the roots

A cautionary note

have grown deep enough into the ground. Obviously, every newly relocated plant will need a little extra care, but once your oleander is established you will be pleasantly surprised by just how easy they are. They will generally only need watering once a week, except in the very hottest of conditions, and fertilising can be done once a year by applying a layer of compost around the plant base each spring, preferably using a nitrogen-based fertiliser that is low in phosphorus. They don't need pruning for health either, but you may want to do so to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. This is best done in autumn; simply cut low hanging branches at the nodes as they enter the tree.

The blossoms are simply beautiful The flowers have an unmistakable rich scent Oleander leaves are long, thin and leathery

kebab sticks. The plant's sap can also cause skin irritation. So these are not the best plants if you have very young children or animals, unless they can be placed in a section where they

enough to do harm as it has a vile and bitter taste, especially the milky white sap. Medical advice should always be sought, however. In addition, the wood should never be used for fires, and particularly not for spit roasting or

can't be reached. Nevertheless, oleanders are all around us in the Canary Islands so there's no avoiding them, and they’re such an aromatic addition to the landscape that it’s well worth it - simply treat them with respect. n

Photo: Gölin Doorneweerd - Swijnenburg FreeImages.com

A real survivor

own, and are also useful for creating screens and hedges when planted in succession. They love being in full sun, and can also appreciate light shade, though anything heavier than that and they won’t provide so many of their beautiful blooms. The best time to plant is in early spring or autumn, though with conditions here they can actually be planted all year round. Try to do so in the early morning, evening or on a cloudy day, so they have time to settle in before being subjected to rigorous direct sunlight. Once you have your chosen spot, you will need to prepare a hole that is about as deep as the root ball and two or three times as wide. If you are positioning various oleanders together, space them around two or three metres apart. If you have just one, leave at least three metres around it to allow it to grow to its full potential without interfering with other species. If your soil isn't the best, you can add a little compost into the mix, especially useful for promoting water absorption in sandy soils when mixed with organic material. Then, carefully holding it by the stem, gently centre it in the hole and half fill the area with soil. Give it a good watering to settle the earth and reduce air pockets. Once the water has drained, fill the hole with the rest of the soil, creating a barrier around the edges of it that is about five to 10 centimetres high. This will form a reservoir to keep moisture where it is needed when irrigating.

Photo: Gölin Doorneweerd - Swijnenburg FreeImages.com

Oleander bushes, with their beautiful, fragrant flowers, are abundant in the Canary Islands. They are fast-growing evergreen shrubs that reach between two and six metres in height. They have long, leathery lanceolate leaves, and the flowers have an incredibly rich, heavy scent that is unmistakable. They can be seen gracing many of the archipelago’s parks, gardens and roadsides as they’ve taken extremely well to the climate here and can be grown with very little fuss.

Photo: Alfred BorchardFreeImages.com

Loving oleander

Beautiful as they are, oleanders do have a sting in the tail as the entire plant is toxic. Even ingesting a small amount can have lethal effects in humans, as well as many other animals. However, it’s unlikely an adult could eat

27.10.2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9.11.2016

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

MAKE-UP SPECIAL

EW LOOKS FOR AN EXCITING AUTUMN

The power of colour From nude to extravagant, everything is there: the current trends for the complexion, eyes, lips and nails provide just the right make-up for every occasion. We can look forward to many new ideas.

MAKE-UP SPECIAL

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

Face & Eyes The foundation is the essence of every successful make-up, for the complexion is, so to speak, the canvas on which the eyes and lips unfold their full brilliance. Accordingly, the complexion should be immaculate. You can find the right foundation to suit every type of skin. While a light day cream for young women with a flawless complexion is sufficient to make the skin look smooth and even, women with oily or mixed skin are most likely to use a powder compound that simultaneously covers and frosts for hours. Specially designed for the needs of demanding skin are products that combine active anti-

aging ingredients with opacity. If you already have the first wrinkles and lines, a liquid foundation is best advised, because it is easy to distribute. Powders should be omitted in these cases, as they make the lines even more prominent. The new eyeshadows are available in a variety of colours and textures, from natural shades of brown to dramatic violets, which bring colour into play. Mascara and eyeliner frame the eye and give expression.

Perfect for the finishing touch: loose powder. From Bare Minerals

The shades of the eyeshadow palette range from deep dark blue to silver. From Chanel

Captivating, gentle earth tones: Perfect Match eyeshadow. From Misslyn

Ideal for a tired complexion: the Face Glow Definer. From Catrice

Extravagant fir green: mono eyeshadow with long durability. From Artdeo

Like a second skin: Liquid Foundation. From Stage Color Cosmetics

For all fans of the Nude-Look: EyeArtist eyeshadow. From Astor

For oily or mixed skin: Matte Beauty Perfection. From Trend It Up

Highlighter for the complexion, in three shades. From Essence

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

MAKE-UP SPECIAL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

A delicate rose tone fits every occasion and fashionable style. From Lavera

Lipsticks with matte textures are in fashion again. From Babor Delicate varieties of pink and brown adorn the nails in a subtle way. From Artdeco

In a dramatic berry tone: lipstick with a gentle shine. From Misslyn

Lips & Nails All over the world, the lipstick heads the list of the most popular beauty accessories. No wonder: a touch of red gives the face freshness, dark nuances lend drama and a bright tomato red just looks noble and sexy at the same time. Dark tones, by the way, are rather something for young women, because they automatically sharpen the contours of the face. All other women will look better with classic red tones or delicate varieties in pink or coral. Delicate lips also require a lipliner for the lipstick. This not only creates clear contours, it also prevents the colour

The lipliner creates perfect contours and gives long durability. By Reviderm

from ‘creeping’ into any wrinkle lines. Even if many people do not remember, it was a fashionable must to have your nails and lips in the same colour. But this beauty trend is over, and today the nails can be painted in the same colour as the lipstick, or in a completely different tone. It’s a matter of what pleases you. Before painting, the nails should be clean and free of grease. It is best to wipe them with a non-greasy nail polish remover and then wait a quarter of an hour, then you’ll get a result that couldn’t be more perfect. n

A touch of copper and bright reddish brown: Rouge Coco Stylo. From Chanel

Why not bright blue? Nail Lacquer by O.P.I.

The nail polish from the French luxury label has long been a cult product. This also applies to Liquid Mirror. From Chanel

Care and a touch of colour: Hyaluron lipvolume care. From Medipharma

HEALTH

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

COLDS AND FLU

Awaiting winter woes It's once again the time of year when people become more susceptible to catching a cold or flu. Although contagious viruses are active all year round, we’re most vulnerable to them during the autumn and winter months. This is thought to be due to the effects of lower temperatures on the nose lining and also because we tend to spend more time indoors with other people. Here in the Canary Islands we have the added influence of a constantly changing influx of visitors, some of whom will inevitably bring a range of bugs with them.

Very common colds

reduced senses of taste and smell. A ‘heavy’ head, mild headache and general tiredness are also common. Symptoms usually peak within two to three days but can last for up to two weeks.

There are various over-thecounter medications that can relieve symptoms

Relief and rest

Gargling with salt water or using cough drops or menthol sweets may relieve a sore throat, and there are many over-the-counter medications which can help. Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can ease aches and pains, and decongestants

can help unblock the nose. Liquid cough mixtures can either suppress coughing or loosen mucus off the chest. Medications that are available without a prescription are generally safe for older children and adults, but may not be suitable for babies and young children. Therapies, Spiritual hypnosis, Past life regression Come, unleash your internal power and heal your mind, body and soul completely through energy healing, hypnosis and past life regression. Get Space Clearing carried out for more positivity at home and in your work place

Pregnant women, people with underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and those taking certain other medications also need to take care with over-thecounter drugs. Always speak to the pharmacist when making a purchase for someone in any of the above groups. And everyone should always read instructions carefully, follow them diligently, and be aware of any side effects such as drowsiness. Antibiotics will not improve a cold as they do not work on viruses, only bacteria. Many people also swear by natural remedies for relieving

When to see your GP Generally speaking, colds are more uncomfortable than seriously incapacitating and will almost always clear up on their own, with or without medication. However, they can pave the way for more serious infections such as acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinus or ear maladies, most often in very young children, the elderly or those already suffering from an unrelated health condition. The time to see your GP is if your symptoms suddenly deteriorate, are unusually severe, if you have a cough that worsens whilst otherwise you are getting better, or you begin to cough up bloodstained mucus. If you experience pain in the chest, ears or face, suffer increasing shortness of breath, ongoing sinus-type headaches,

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There are several ways to reduce the effects of symptoms. Most importantly, drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C. Try to get plenty of rest, and avoid alcohol and caffeinated products, which will only dehydrate you. Smokers usually have more severe symptoms than non-smokers, so cutting down or not smoking at all is also a good idea.

Watery eyes, raised temperature and blocked sinuses are common Headaches are a common symptom of colds and flu

Photo: kadri poldma / FreeImages.com

A cold is mild viral infection of the nose, throat, sinuses and upper airways, caused by one of over 200 different viruses. Up to 40 per cent of colds are thanks to the wonderfully named rhinovirus, with other widespread ones being the coronavirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Colds are highly contagious, and as there are so many different viruses it is actually possible to suffer several in a row. As young children can catch up to six colds per year and adults generally have an average of two or three in the same period, most people are well acquainted with the feeling of one coming on. Between 24 hours and three days from one of the viruses entering the body, symptoms start developing such as sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, cough, congestion, and

symptoms, such as Echinacea, zinc and garlic supplements, as well as hot honey drinks, adding ginger to your tea, and steam infusions with essential oils, especially eucalyptus.

Photo: Loopack / FreeImages.com

Photo: Daniel Szwalkiewicz / FreeImages.com

Aspirin, for instance, should never be given to those under 16 years old unless specifically prescribed by a doctor, as it has been linked to a rare but dangerous illness called Reye's syndrome.

or a fever that won’t respond to treatment, you will also need to book an appointment with the doctor. A difference in the mucus that is produced after having felt you were improving for a short time is also worth a visit, as are any symptoms that go on for longer than three weeks. Obviously, if a chronic lung condition such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema flares-up it is important to see your GP. In children, be especially alert for abnormal behaviour such as unusual drowsiness, refusal to eat, excessive crying, holding the ears or stomach, or wheezing. High fevers can also be serious in the very young, and if your child is under three months old it is vital to call your healthcare professional immediately.

world this can run from October through to April and May, usually peaking between December and February.

months to five years; elderly individuals (65 years old or above); people with chronic medical conditions; and anyone who works in the healthcare industry. Those who are in close contact with any of the above people should also be vaccinated. Ideally, this

the virus has been transferred onto. Once picked up, it can then enter the body via your mouth, nose or eyes when you touch them. Virus droplets that are expulsed into the air when someone sneezes or coughs can also be inhaled by another person.

are most vulnerable. Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then dispose of it properly and wash your hands immediately, making it less likely for you to transfer them to other people and surfaces. Wash your hands frequently throughout the day, especially if you have touched your face. Clean shared household and work surfaces regularly, including door handles, toilet flushers, children’s toys, and computer keyboards and mice. Try to let someone else do all the food handling if possible, and use your own cup, plates, cutlery and kitchen utensils. Also, use your own bathroom and hand towels. If you are still well and wish to minimise the risk of succumbing to one of these and other illnesses which are transferred

Washing hands regularly can help stop the spread of diseases A blocked nose usually accompanies a cold or flu Babies are particularly vulnerable to viral or bacterial complications Each annual flu epidemic results in between three and five million cases of severe illness, and around 250,000 to 500,000 deaths

Every year, medics study flu trends and try to predict which strains will predominate over the coming season. In this way they can develop vaccines. These are safe and effective and have been used for more than 60 years. According to the World Health Organisation:

vaccine may be less effective in preventing illness but may reduce severity of disease and incidence of complications and death”. The organisation recommends annual vaccination for: pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy; children aged six

Photo: Johan Graterol / FreeImages.com

As with a cold, influenza symptoms also include congestion, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and the rest. However, flu tends to develop more quickly, lasts for longer, and comes with stronger symptoms and some added discomforts. These include fever, headaches, shivers and chills, dry cough, allover body aches, and debilitating fatigue. Whereas a cold generally allows you to carry on with your normal life, someone with flu may well have to take to their bed for a day or more. It may also come with added complications such as nausea or vomiting. Flu is a much more serious illness than a cold, especially for young children or the old or infirm. Worldwide, each annual epidemic is said to result in between three and five million cases of severe illness, and around 250,000 to 500,000 deaths. The time of year when it is most prevalent is appropriately dubbed the 'flu season'. In temperate parts of the

Photo: melodi2 / FreeImages.com

Common cold or fiery flu?

“Among healthy adults, influenza vaccine can provide reasonable protection. However, among the elderly, influenza

HEALTH

Photo: Maja Lampe / FreeImages.com

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

Photo: William Stadler / FreeImages.com

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

should be done by October, although vaccination into January and beyond can still offer protection.

Prepare and prevent Cold and flu viruses are passed via direct contact with the skin of a sufferer, or by touching an infected object or surface

Generally speaking, someone who has a cold or flu is infectious from a few days before symptoms begin until all of them have gone away. If you do catch a cold or the flu, try to be a caring friend and good citizen and avoid spreading the virus as much as possible. Limit your contact with other people, particularly those who

in the same way, always wash your hands often and thoroughly, and teach children to do the same. Making sure your immune system is as strong as possible will also help. To do this, try to eat a balanced, healthy diet, take regular exercise, make sure you get enough sleep, and keep general stress levels down. n

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Golf del Sur

PETS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

ADOPT, DON’T BUY

Animal charities’ round up Acción del Sol One young girl visited the refuge with one of the local schools to participate in our educational programme and had her heart set on adopting a dog. Her mother was concerned that it might be a passing fad, so she told her daughter that every Saturday she had to come to the refuge and walk, groom and care for her chosen dog to ensure that it was the correct decision. This carried on for many weeks and we are very pleased to say that the family adopted the dog and are extremely happy together. It is nice to see parents and children being so careful and committed to animal welfare. October 14 was a very special day for Jean Warren - Acción del Sol’s oldest supporter – as she celebrated her 90th birthday. We would like to say a very special thank you to her for all her support over the years. She loves the dogs and her life is very much enhanced by the love she receives and gives to them. Animals have such a loving and calming effect with the elderly, children and persons with bad health, as well as their general therapeutic attributes. We always welcome people to the refuge who benefit from being with our dogs. Please contact us on: 922 778 630 if you can help in any way. We are always in need of tinned dog food, blankets, towels, sheets, dog toys, and collars and leads for everyone. Alternatively, visit the refuge on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons from 2pm - 5pm and Saturdays 1pm - 4pm. We are situated directly under the Eolica Parque’s wind turbines at exit

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ADOPTION

Looking for a home Natasha is a loving, friendly female who is around two years old. She gets on with other dogs and is currently staying with K9. Could you be her new family? Call: 667 638 468 for more information or see the website at: www.k9tenerife.eu. n

52 on the TF1 north bound, after the El Médano junction. Just head for the turbines on the coast and you will see our

One young girl showed her commitment to caring for her new dog from Acción del Sol before adopting

buildings on the right. Alternatively, email the refuge at: teneriffa@aktiontier.org or visit our Facebook page: action tier Acción del Sol.

Live Arico (PAWS) For some of the best charity store chic around, bag a bargain at our shops in: San Eugenio (Opposite Hotel La Niña. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm); Los Cristianos (Calle Reverón, near the Thistle and Dragon Bar. Open daily, 10am to 4pm); Golf del Sur (Golf Park, just before the lottery kiosk. Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm; Saturday, 10am to 4pm; Sunday, 10.30am to 3.30pm). Don’t throw things away! Call us on: 629 388102 and we can sell it to help the dogs. Find us at: www.livearico.com, on Facebook, or join us on Twitter: twitter.com/live_arico.

October 14 was a very special day for Jean Warren, the oldest supporter of Acción del Sol, as she celebrated her 90th birthday

Cats Welfare October is a favourite month for those who excitedly plan their spook, vampire and monster costumes in anticipation of Halloween. But cats, particularly black cats, have little cause for celebration this month. Statistics on black cat torture during October are lacking, most of the stories are hearsay, and some, no doubt, have been drummed up simply for shock value. The conundrum is that the situation can be self-fulfilling. Young minds are vulnerable and when they hear stories of ritual abuse, a spark can ignite and a new crime wave is off, with a ‘stray’ black cat the target. Ritual sacrifice still exists and these stories do crop up in newspapers once in a while.

Please therefore consider keeping your cat indoors during the month of October, regardless of their colour, but especially if they happen to be black. In addition, on Halloween itself, and the weekend before, you’ll be wise to keep your cats locked inside a room, in case they panic and slip out the door. Even the calmest cat can become upset at endless doorbell ringing and youthful voices shouting “Trick or Treat!”

A big thank you to everyone who visited our charity tables on October 8 at Koala Sur in Adeje and Las Chafiras. Special thanks go to our hard working volunteers: Cristina Cortes, Oksana Sereda, Tatiana, Patricia Carballo and Nieves Martin. Also to Julia Foster, Tatjana Födisch and Carlos Díaz for their help with the handicrafts. We raised €263 and were donated lots of food. We will be holding these sales every second Saturday of the month, so see you there in November. All adult cats currently available are in foster care and details are on our website: www.cats-welfare-tenerife/ pets. If it’s a kitten, many are also in foster care but in the South we do have kittens for viewing in the Don Perro pet shop in Las Chafiras and Vet Express behind Gran Sur. Opening times and maps are on our website. In the North, kittens can be seen in the Kiwoko pet shop in the El Trompo commercial cen-

tre just outside Puerto de La Cruz. If you are looking for something specific, message or WhatsApp Maria on: 646 629 129 (9am – 6pm, seven days a week. Please leave a message if the phone is not answered immediately). We are always in need of good quality items to sell in our charity shop. Items for donation can be dropped into the shop on San Blas in Golf del Sur (Behind Hiperdino) which is open seven days a week, 10am – 6pm (Saturdays, 11am until 4pm). If you don’t have transport or have large bulky items, please ring Mark on: 636 590 557 to arrange collection.

K9 Our shop on Alcalá Plaza is in continual need of donations. If you have anything suitable please take it to the shop. The kennels are open every day from 11am until 2pm. If you have any enquiries or are looking for a dog or cat, the number is: 667 638 468. n

FARMERS MARKET

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

Farmer’s Markets Alcalá Plaza de Llano Monday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100 Arafo Plaza San Juan Degollado Thursday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 511 711 Arico Porís de Abona Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 676 159 034 Arona Valle San Lorenzo, Carretera General 122 Monday/Friday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 767 138 Buenavista del Norte Plaza de San Sebastián Opening times: Saturday 8.30am – 2pm Telephone: 922 129 030 Candelaria Wednesday 8am - 2pm Next to council offices Saturday 8am – 2pm. Plaza del Centro Comercial de Punta Larga Telephone: 922 505 014 El Médano Plaza Principal Wednesday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 759 966/62 El Rosario Carretera General del Norte, la Esperanza Saturday/Sunday/festivals 8am – 4pm Telephone: 922 010 160

Photo: Kelvin Yu FreeImages

El Sauzal Hoya de la Vida, next to the church, Ravelo Friday/Saturday/Sunday 7.30am- 2pm Telephone: 922 584 657

Güímar Plaza del Ayuntamiento Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 526 105

side behind Titsa Depot) 8am – 3pm closed Mondays Tel 922 076544

Guía de Isora Plaza del Pueblo de Garachico Friday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100

Playa de San Juan Plaza de la Iglesia Wednesday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 850 100

Icod de Los Vinos Calle Key Muñoz 5 Monday/Friday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 815 700 / 922 447 938 La Guancha Carretera General TFS km 49 Saturday/Sunday 8am – 3pm Telephone: 922 360 788 La Laguna Plaza del Cristo Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday 6am – 2pm Telephone: 922 601 100 / 922 253 903 La Matanza de Acentejo Ctra. General del Norte Saturday 8am – 3pm, Sunday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 577 120 La Orotava Calle Educadora Lucía Mesa Saturday 8am – 1.30pm Telephone: 922 336 804 / 681 277 633 Los Realejos Camino Viejo de San Benito, Finca el Llano, Realejo Alto Saturday/Sunday 9am – 2pm Telephone: 922 346 234 Los Silos Plaza de la Luz, Los Silos Sunday 9am – 2pm Telephone: 922 840 004 Parque de la Reina – El Cho Calle Infanta Elena, 32 (before Karting on right hand

Island support!

Puerto de la Cruz Avenida Blas Pérez González, 4 Wednesday to Saturday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 386 158 San Isidro Mercado del Agricultor de Granadilla Off the roundabout leading to El Médano Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm Telephone: 922 759 966 San Miguel de Abona P.I. Las Chafiras, San Miguel de Abona, next to the fire station Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm Wednesday 2pm – 7.30pm Telephone: 922 735 386 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Avenida José Manuel Guimerá Sunday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 606 000 Santa Úrsula Carretera General, near the town hall Saturday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 301 640 Tegueste Calle de Asuncionistas, 6 Saturday/Sunday 8.00am – 2pm Telephone: 922 316 100 Vilaflor Plaza de Vilaflor Monday to Thursday 8am – 1pm Telephone: 922 709 002

Photo: by Frank C. Muller

Adeje Calle Archajara, s/n, in front of Makro Saturday/Sunday 8am – 2pm / Wednesday 4pm – 8pm Telephone: 922 775 200

FARMER’S MARKETS

Photo: Carlos Paes FreeImages

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

We at Island Connections are sure in the knowledge that one of the best ways to help yourself, and the economy, is to buy locally – even if you are just visiting for a short time. Canarian farmers harvest an extensive range of crops, which can be seen growing in the typical stepped-terrain farms around the Islands. Products range from tropical fruits, such as mangoes, to worldwide staples like lentils, potatoes and onions. According to the agricultural group COAG-Canarias, prices of fresh fruits and vegetables differ greatly between the amount the farmers receive and the sale price in the supermarkets. For instance, towards the end of last year, small marrows, which the farmers were paid just €0.07/ kilo for, retailed at €0.84, and leeks sold at €0.36 were passed onto the consumer for around €2.23 a kilo. Many of the prices don’t even seem to cover the cost of production - and this is when subsidies became neces-

sary to keep farms from disappearing, which, like the hiked prices, also come out of our pockets. Enter the farmers markets, where the grower can sell directly to the customer without an intermediary. They are dotted all over the Islands, with at least one in almost every town. They allow customers to purchase fresher, higher quality produce at cheaper prices, and the farmers receive a fair payment for their efforts. This enables them to maintain or raise the standard of their crops and uphold productivity levels – it’s a win-win situation.

In these markets you will be sure to see a variety of seasonal products, as well as some local home-made delicacies such as preserves, honeys and Canarian goat’s cheese. A selection of meats and fish can also be found among the stalls, along with an assortment of cakes, pastries and biscuits. Buy locally, eat healthily, pay fairly – this is one way we can all help each other. So, to show our support of local farmers we are taking this timely opportunity to publish the details of the many farmers’ markets around the island of Tenerife. Enjoy. n

HOROSCOPES | CLASSIFIEDS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

Horoscope for period: October 27 to November 9 Aries 21.3 - 20.4 You will take on a joint project with someone close to you, be it a hobby or work plan, that looks set for success as long as you can allow the other person to include some of their own ideas. Listen to them and you will learn. Taurus 21.4 - 20.5 Try not to take things too personally as many of you have the habit of flying off the handle when there wasn’t any offence meant. Try to work out what is actually bothering you; chances are it is nothing to do with other people at all. Gemini 21.5 - 21.6 The issue of personal boundaries in your close relationships is really important. You seem to have an unbalanced deal with a partner or good friend. This may be the time for a heart-to-heart discussion. It will be difficult, but probably with surprising results. Cancer 22.6 - 22.7 Focusing on your professional life or desires can mean you have little time for your personal relationships. This is ok up to a point, but there is definitely a limit. Try to make more time for your loved ones, you will also benefit in the end. Leo 23.7 - 23.8 Your need to be self-reliant is very important to you but it can mean that you come across as a little distant in your relationships. Try to reassure your family and friends that you appreciate them. They need to know you love them. Virgo 24.8 - 23.9 Money is a ruling factor right now, with possible arguments in the home regarding finances. Be it with other people or yourself, this is a good moment to take control of spending. Saving a little now will help your long term goals. Libra 24.9 - 23.10 The latter months of this year are a good time for you when it comes to work matters. Maybe it is time to ask for a promotion, look for a new job or finally find the post you have been waiting for. There may be a change coming up. Scorpio 24.10 - 22.11 You need to keep an eye on your health right now as you are in danger of running yourself down. Seemingly minor ailments such as colds and flu are trying to tell you that you need to take a muchneeded break. Relax and sleep. Sagittarius 23.11 - 21.12 This is a good time for making decisions regarding finances and future goals. A little careful planning right now could lead to a beneficial breakthrough in a very short time. Be patient, however – all the signs are good. Capricorn 22.12 - 20.1 Home matters are all important right now and you may find yourself in the middle of a difficult situation. Try to see it from the other person’s point of view before throwing out accusations. They may have a valid point regarding your behaviour. Aquarius 21.1 - 20.2 Self-doubt is your worst enemy right now. It is good to think things through carefully, but you are being too hard on yourself. You are a good person who usually has a positive effect on others. Try to remind yourself of this regularly. Pisces 21.2 - 20.3 Try not to over-analyse situations, it only leads to frustration and misinterpretation. You can’t read minds so there is no point in pretending to yourself that you can. If in doubt, ask the people involved. The answers may surprise you.

Contacts Cockney girl, Ana. Just what you need to get pampered. Stunning hot brunette. Let my pleasure be your pleasure, owo, French kissing. Los Cristianos, opposite the bus station. Tel: (0034) 631 564 875. Busty and curvy. Los Cristianos, Latin mixed race girl, unsparingly sexy, with fetish services, wet shower, body to body massage (with happy ending), all types of fantasies and positions, and toys. Outcalls or my private apartment. Tel: 602 525 385. Transsexual, 37 years old, beautiful, tall, fat, blonde, long big penis, active/passive. €70 half hour, €100 one hour. Apartments Royal, in front of the bus station, Los Cristianos. You can pay in Sterling. SMS/ WhatsApp for info. Tel: (0034) 602 626 848. Outcall same price: Tantric massage for impotence, premature ejaculation, and sagging. Prolong your erection and enjoy an incredible experience. I’m Amaia from Colombia. I’m a very exotic woman! I offer you two orgasms, internal and external, prostate massage, body to body, couple massage. Full body relaxation. More than

pleasure. For more about me, see: www.sensesmassagetenerife.com. Tel: 0034 640 814 067. Also by WhatsApp.

in Calle Noruega, near the Altavista supermarket. I can do visits and I am available 24 hours. Tel: 602 629 191.

Los Cristianos, Patricia, blonde Venezuelan, big breasts, pretty, obliging. All services, no limits. I am waiting for you in my private apartment, or I can come to you, 24 hours a day. Tel: 650 442 665.

English model, showgirl, professional striptease, quality service, general entertainment, stag nights, dominatrix, fetish, luxury conditions, 24 hour visits, escort service available. Tel: 697 227 139.

Los Cristianos, young blonde, spectacular, welcoming body, natural 130 breasts, all services. Discreet. I speak a little English. Opposite the bus station. Tel: 603 387 563.

PAMELA, brunette, Las Chafiras. Massage service available for gentlemen only. Private apartment. HH Franciscano Street, beside the large park, Las Chafiras. Number has changed: was 635 801 105, new number: 608 285 035.

Los Cristianos, Paula, Latin girl. Enjoy my kisses, body, vibrators, no limits. Available 24 hours in my private apartment, or I can come to you. Tel: 604 115 052. Come and enjoy our erotic body to body massage with a happy ending! Unforgettable experience. Beautiful Polish ladies. Opening hours 10am to 10pm, Playa Paraiso, Costa Adeje area. Tel: (0034) 662 960 065. www.edentenerife.com. I’m Diana, a pretty Latin girl, 23 years old, good body, pleasing, French, positions, massages, available 24 hours. I’m waiting for you in my private apartment in the centre of Los Cristianos. Home/hotel visits available. Tel: 605 072 917. Los Cristianos, new, Meliza, Latin blonde. Natural French, positions, kisses, massages, vibrators. Private apartment

To advertise your services with us, please call 922 75 06 09

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

The deadline for edition 783, which is published on 10th November, is 8th Nov. No classifieds will be taken after this date.

Head Office: Calle Francisco Feo Rodríguez 6º- first floor. Pol. Industrial Las Chafiras 38620 - San Miguel de Abona. Tel.: 922 75 06 09 Fax: 922 795 810 OFFICE HOURS: Mon-Frid 9:30 -16:30 hours

Classified Info Adverts for our Classifieds Section must be sent by email or hand delivered to the office. If you would like to advertise, please send your classified text to: classifieds@ ic-news.com. Alternatively, place your classified advert with one of our four agents: Now Tenerife.com in Golf del Sur, Redhound Bookshop in Los Cristianos, The Bookswop in Las Américas, Petras Deutscher Bücherstand in Puerto de La Cruz.

Rates: * LINEAGE CLASSIFIEDS: From €16 * SMALL & LONG TERM: Ask for long term advertising (3, 6, 12 months) and our special discounts. * FURTHER OPTIONS: color / boxed adverts. TO PLACE YOUR ADVERT CALL: 922 75 06 09 You are welcome to come to our offices in Las Chafiras to place small ads. Card payment facilities are available.

ISLAND CONNECTIONS MEDIA GROUP S.L. www.islandconnections.eu

Island Connections Online: www.islandconnections.eu

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CLASSIFIEDS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

General Services Massage and more. Offer: 60 minutes body massage €36. Couples, four hands, lava stones, tantric massages, etc. Playa de las Américas, Ernesto Sarti no.8, across from Iberostar Hotel Torviscas Playa. Tel. 602 608 626 For sale. Home-produced ecological vegetables, Tenerife south. Interested businesses, call 650 323 751 (Spanish only), send WhatsApp or email to: michelteide@hotmail.com www.mascuidados.com Website for our massages, dedicated to bringing the benefits of therapeutic massage to your home or hotel, no charge for travel. Do you want a massage? www.mascuidados.com Tel. 663 190 727 After school classes, help or activities in English, German or Spanish, please contact Mrs. Garus. Tel. 602 506 793. We are 5 minutes away from Wingate School in Cabo Blanco. Qualified specialist from Germany helps you with back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches and insomnia. Tel. 0034 699 15 61 47 (ask for Eugene). Spanish native teacher and interpreter gives Spanish lessons at reasonable prices. Tel: 747 790 001. k.arim555@ live.com Masonic Lodge - Ave Fenix No.73. New meetings starting in October 2016 on the fourth Tuesday of the month. If interested, all visitors are welcome to come down. For further information, lodge secretary John Donaldson is available to contact on Tel: (+34) 922 178 091 or Email: ave.fenix73@gmail.com You’re invited!!! FREE BEAUTY SESSION. This is your time to relax with friends or on your own, share the excitement of trying new products, learn about the latest techniques and trends and of course, earn fabulous rewards. More info: 642 601 553 Maggie.

MASONIC MEETINGS Logia Ave Fenix Nº 73

BLOCK BUSTERS WE UNBLOCK ALL TYPES OF DRAINS

Edificio Simón, Los Cristianos. New meetings start in October, on the fourth Tuesday

internal and external using our high pressure jets and cameras.

All Visitors welcome Contact John Donaldson (Secretary):

Call

(+34) 922 178 091 or ave.fenix73@gmail.com

647 928 223

Spanish and English Lawyers

Conveyancing • Inheritance & Wills Family Law • Criminal Law Civil Litigation & Personal Injury Timeshare • Tax & Commercial law

Second-Hand Sale LOS ABRIGOS & Auction X Room We sell everything you need for your home or rental apartment We buy quality furniture for CASH. Free Valuations! Collection & Delivery Service. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-1pm & 4pm-7pm · Sat 10am-1pm

Tel: 922 749 664

Los Abrigos, 1st building on the right, coming from Las Chafiras

Santiago del Teide Lions Club Bargains galore From clothes and children’s toys to kitchenware and books – there are plenty of great deals on second-hand goods. They even have sets of golf clubs! Don’t miss out – visit their shop below the plaza in Puerto Santiago (Behind Vigilia Park). Open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am – 1pm and Wednesdays 2pm to 8pm. Are you looking for an opportunity with financial independence and personal fulfillment? Become an Independent Beauty Consultant!!! More Info: 642 601 553. For sale, cooker with three burners, spit roaster for chickens, three freezers, chairs and decoration. Tel: Carlos on 676 243 558.

T: E:

922 719 520

tenerife@decottalaw.net

Av. de Los Pueblos, Residencial Villaflor B-20, San Eugenio

www.decottalaw.net

INTERFINISH TENERIFE PLASTERING SERVICES Based in the south and over 20 years experience, Interfinish cover all aspects of plastering including: • Internal plastering • Rendering • Damp proofing • Dry lining From small patches to complete plaster renovation of villas/apartments and new builds. With a clean professional job guaranteed. Call Chris or Mark for a free quotation or advice.

Chris 631 112 094 Mark 639 488 226

We sell furniture suitable for bar/restaurant (tables, chairs, kitchen accessories, decoration etc.) in excellent condition. Price negotiable. Tel: 922 717 613 or 671 912 301

RENTAL Classifieds

CLASSIFIEDS Looking to swap my house in Tenerife for a house in Dublin or surroundings. If agreed, the time could be arranged. From a month to a year time gap. Call Carmen 693 727 683 Apartment and Villa for rent in Tenerife south. Tel: (0034) 662 507 191.

Wanted urgently: an apartment to rent in El Médano Garage to rent, double with 2 bedrooms and a width. Victoria Court 1, Los garage. Tel: 676 243 558. Cristianos. Close to Sunday market. Very secure lock-up. Looking to exchange or rent: Tel: 679 919 623. Luxury 85m2 apartment in Travemünde (on the Baltic Sea, Germany) in exchange for 2/3 bedroom apartment in Tenerife for 4-6 weeks January/ February 2017. Our proSALES Classifieds perty is located on the 2nd floor overlooking the sea and the city and furnished to a very high standard. There is a Wellness and Spa on resort and underground par2 king. We are looking for a 2/3 For sale, Bungalow 160m bedroom apartment in Tene- - Costa Sauzal, situated rife in a nice complex with front row with guaranteed heated pool and Spa facili- spectacular sea-views, 3 ties. Email: m.perling@gmx. bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, de or 0049 179 51 75 987. living room with panoramic windows, modern kitchen, Studio for rent, in quiet dining room connected to Bio Finca, 25 sqm, in Los the terrace, including a Realejos, close to Restau- heated 4 x 8 m pool, all on rant Monasterio, furnished, same level, garage and a balcony, parking, garden, marvellous tropical garden terrace, SAT TV, Internet, with 800m2 landscaped €280/month, incl. additiowith various plants and lots nal costs. Tel: 616 802 861 of fruit-trees. Private sale or 699 044 668. contact: info@ simonsanaApartment for rent, 1 nes.com. Tel.: 00 34 699 bedroom, fully equipped, 444 879 For sale near Playa Martiánez, in Puerto de La Cruz, €470 APARTMENT TABAIBA /month + electricity. Tel: ALTA For sale, only five Theresa on 606 105 101. mins away from the German school, roughly 102ms, Winter letting Puerto de 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, La Cruz Studio apartment, 24 hour concierge, pool, kitchen, living room, utisea views. Minimum three lity room, garden, big termonth contract. €500 per race. Spectacular views of the sea and mountain, big month. 669 652 149

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

garage with 2 spaces, 2 closed store rooms, price €180,000, mob. 686 798 367, email eoptenerife@ gmail.com www.teneriffa-fincas.net

Beautiful seafront apartment for private sale. One bedroom, garage, sea views and in a sunny position. Price: €120,000. No agents. Tel: 922 752 759. Mobile: 608 425 426.

Place your advert at

Mundo del Mapa Classified Agent for

Property for Sale Playa Honda

Urb. Oasis Dakota, Playa Fañabé

3 Bed Semi Detached. Toilet, complete bathroom, separate kitchen, totally equipped, furnished, 35m2 terrace, secure access to pool, infant park, good views, beside commercial centres, 800m from Playa Fañabé, community fees

Las Américas

One bedroom apartment, tiled throughout, American-style kitchen, separate bedroom and terrace. Located in the center of Las Americas within 3 minutes walk from the beach.

€ 122,000 ALAN: 634 098 838

British Style Bar

Playa de Las Américas Located just off front line, excellent reputation, regular clientele. Terrace for approximately 10 tables and refurbished interior in timber. Bar walls adorned with memorabilia. Includes store room and Ladies & Gents toilet facilities.

€ 25,000

ALAN: 634 098 838

30€/month

Tel 629 244 958 € 155,000 Place your advert at

Mundo del Mapa Calle San Felipe, 12 Puerto de la Cruz

Classified Agent for

Pickup Point

Car Hire, Excursions and Rentails Ocean Golf and Country Club, Golf del Sur 922 736 502

Frutería Miraverde

The easy way to sell or rent properties

Wonderful rustic house available for holiday rental in San Miguel de Abona. 4 bed rooms, independent flat on the roof. Very well furnished with amazing views. Please call for further information. €70 per night for 2 people. €15 per extra person maximum 5 people. Close to the local town, restaurants, bars, cultural centre.

Tel. 616 460 728

Situations Vacant / wanted

Are looking for international girls to model swimwear in the south of Tenerife for an immediate start. Must be presentable and speak good English, other languages are an advantage. PR experience essential. Daily work, salary, commissions paid and contracts given.

Call José, between 11am and 5pm on 606 181 946 or 922 751 021

Saint Andrew’s School El Sauzal needs qualified

Reception / Year 1 teacher to start

CLASSIFIEDS | PASTIMES

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

Vehicles To advertise please call 922 75 06 09

Car needed for long-term rental 676 378 618 Ford Fiesta 1.6, 2007. ITV until February 2018. Good condition. 87,000km. €4,750. Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562.

FOR SALE

Mercedes S 320

MG Sport 1.6 Convertible 2003, ITV to October 2016, one owner, excellent condition, only 25,000km. €8,500. Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562. Mercedes 420 Elegance, 1996. 115,000km. ITV to November 2016. €4,500. Tel: 922 861 332 / 609 227 562.

(For Crossword and Sudoku solution see pag 40)

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

1999. 216,000 km. Serviced with ITV valid to September 2017.

€4,850 Tel: 634 347 439

mid Feb 2017 Must be native English speaker Please call

664 510 748 or email

sastenerife@ hotmail.com Across

Pickup Point 2nd Home Tenerife C.C. Plaza del Duque

7 - admit (6) 8 - solicitor (6) 10 - boastful behaviour (7) 11 - duties (5) 12 - cut (4) 13 - pariah (5) 17 - seabirds (5) 18 - nothing (4)

22 - map (5) 23 - repeats (7) 24 - domain (6) 25 - decorates (6)

Down

1 - apes (7) 2 - go forward (7) 3 - body of water (5) 4 - associate (7) 5 - rover (5) 6 - wind instrument (5) 9 - countenanced (9) 14 - movers on ice (7) 15 - listeners (7)

16 - be (7) 19 - group of eight (5) 20 - curbs (5) 21 - sour substances (5)

MOTORING

EVERYDAY MOTORING

Change of season

Whilst recent weather in Tenerife isn’t remotely like winter, nevertheless it’s a good time of year to prepare your car for the coming season. Whilst we are blessed with good weather almost all year round, we are coming into the time when it could potentially rain and you need to prepare your vehicle for this after the long, hot summer. If you are one of the ‘swallows’ who winter here and have been away and left your car for a few months, it’s also essential to do a few basic checks and maintenance. Obviously, it is your responsibility to keep your vehicle in roadworthy condition. The ITV check is there to ensure it is physically fit for purpose, but there are everyday things that you should do to ensure that you are a safe driver, and

Photo: John Macleod / FreeImages.com

By Wheeler Dealer

Keeping your wipers in good order can help keep you safe

you could be prosecuted if you fail to do so and sub-

sequently have an accident. Visibility is probably the best

GUÍA DE ISORA

Pedro Martín spoke of it being an especially interesting event: “It is a technically challenging rally which requires high levels of expertise and dexterity on behalf of the teams taking part” and also due to the fact that “it attracts so many motorsports fans”. The road will be shut to all traffic and pedestrians from 6am on both days, with the actual race starting at 10am. Two practice runs on the first of the dates will be followed by two full legs, with one practice and one official run taking place on the following day. The road will remain closed until all of the races have finished, so if you want to be in place to watch you will need to get there early. With event organisation headed by Escudería Isora motorsport,

enough to see out of. If we did have a sudden downpour of rain, do your wipers work? After a summer of high temperatures, perhaps the rubbers on the wipers have perished, or there is no windscreen wash. When it does rain here it can be torrential. If your windscreen is smeared with dust and you can’t see, you could be put in a dangerous situation. Likewise, your headlights should be unobstructed and bright enough so you can both see and be seen. If the lenses of your headlights are cloudy, make sure they are cleaned. Your tyres are the only connection your car has to the road itself, and your safety depends on them. Ensure the tyre pressure is correct and that the tread has not worn away. This would not only be illegal, but also would affect

steering and braking distances if it does rain, especially as the roads become particularly slippery with the first downpours, as it washes away months of accumulated oil and grease. If you have a good relationship with your local garage, call in to see them and get them to check your vehicle for all these little things that can help make your journeys safer for you and your loved ones. Based on their years of experience in the car industry, Wheeler Dealer will be providing useful advice and indepth information for the coming editions of Island Connections. Call Wheeler Dealer, Las Chafiras, on: 922 736 451. n

CLASSIC CAVALCADE

Uplifting uphill rally One of the newest events of its kind on the island, the uphill rally to Guía de Isora, will take place over the weekend of October 29 and 30. Now in its seventh year, the ‘Subida a Guía de Isora’ allows drivers to test their skills on the steep and windy TF-463 road, between the coastal area of Playa de San Juan and the heart of the town after which the race is named. With around 70 teams taking part in each of the previous years, the rally has soon become a highly popular fixture in the racing calendar. So much so that, if all goes well, it will be included as one of the races in next year’s Spanish Mountain Rally Championship. At the recent public meeting to announce the details of the upcoming contest, local mayor

example of this. Make sure that your windows are clean

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

Torrent of Turbos Keep your eyes peeled for a whole host of Renault 5 GT Turbos as they cruise round Tenerife on October 29 and 30. The cheery classic cars have plenty of followers on the Islands and there’s a surprisingly large group of enthusiasts to care for and parade them. It can be quite a sight seeing them vroom by in one long convoy, so hopefully you will catch a glimpse of them over the weekend of the event. For the first day, much of the action will be based around the Los Realejos area, so the following morning and afternoon will be the best time for seeing them whizz and whistle past. The merry get-together is organised each year by the Tenerife Turbo Club. Check out their blog for news at: www. tenerifeturboclub.blogspot.com.es. n

you can find more information at: www.isoramotorsport. com. n

SPORTS

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

Rowing clubs pay tribute to founder For the fifth consecutive year, the Bateles Regatta held in Caleta de Fuste, Fuerteventura, was a resounding success and had a special homage for the event’s organiser and promoter, Francisco Pedrosa. Rowing clubs based in Guipuzcoa, Vizcaya, Catalonia and the Canary Islands paid tribute to Pedrosa, who passed away recently. Participating clubs donated commemorative plaques, gifts and dedications, recognising his passion for the sport and commitment in establishing the island’s prestigious regatta. The Rowing Club Txampa de Antigua (Fuerteventura) came second to Club San Pedro (Guipuzcoa, northern Spain), missing out on the top spot by 20 seconds. In total, three clubs from Fuerteventura competed against five from the peninsula in the men’s and women’s categories. In a fabulous tournament that saw intense competition combined with mutual respect and comradeship, two clubs from Guipuzcoa won the men’s and women’s categories respectively: Club San Pedro for the men’s and Club Hibaika for the women’s. Fuerteventura’s own Rowing Club Txampa de Antigua came second in the men’s, with fellow islanders, Club Itxaso Atlántico, claiming third position. Club Arkote from Vizcaya in North Spain came second in the women’s race, with Club Itxaso Atlántico from Fuerteventura sailing into third. Fuerteventura tourism councillor, Deborah Edgington, presented the medals and trophies to the presidents of the rowing clubs at a ceremony held at the Antigua Casino. The V Bateles Regatta was organised by the Island Sports Department, The Antigua Tourist Department, the Montejanana Association, Sports Club Herbania, as well as the participation of the event’s main sponsor, Barceló Hotels & Resorts. n

Club San Pedro from Guipuzcoa finished in first place in the men’s category

NEW WATER SPORT

Fly underwater The Subwing is a new piece of water sport equipment that’s taking Europe by storm. It was invented by 20-yearold Norwegian Simon Sivertsen during a bored episode on holiday. “We were sailing around the Mediterranean islands, and we didn’t have a boat that could tow water sport products like boards and water skis, so I had to find someA whole new way to experience the ocean The rider twists the wings to steer

Photos: www.subwing.com

FUERTEVENTURA

Photo: Agência Brasil CC A 3.0 BL

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

thing else to do. We did a lot of snorkelling and the waters were really clear, so I had this idea of being towed underwater by a boat”, explained the inventor. The experience is described as flying underwater or swimming like a dolphin. The idea took hold of him and he began to work on the device, which consists of two fins connected by an axle which is pulled by a motorboat at a sedate 2 to 4 knots. Currently they are being produced in carbon fibre and glass fibre at a retail cost of between €400 and €800.

How does it work? The Subwing is towed by a motorboat with a watcher on board – called a Spotter – who keeps an eye on the Subwing rider and communicates with the boat’s pilot. It’s simple to operate and recommended for anybody over 10 years old. The mechanism allows the rider to

swing left or right, sweep to the depths, or ride on the surface. You can also twist or spiral, performing aquatic acrobatics. A short rope, of around 8 to 10 metres, means better contact with the boat but less manoeuvrability and higher possibility of the view being obscured by bubbles from the boat’s propeller. However, it’s a good way for beginners to get a feeling

for the Subwing’s operation and allows you to communicate verbally with the Spotter. A medium-length rope of 12 to 18 metres allows for good mobility and better visibility, but means that hand-signals will have to be agreed and learned. A longer line of up to 30 metres will allow maximum freedom of movement and excellent visibility, but communication is even more difficult and the danger of impact with another cruising boat is greater. For those with good, deep-water and free-diving skills, it means a deeper descent is possible. In the Greek islands where the sport was invented, there are already 28 clubs and centres offering this activity. In the Canaries, Man & Vetter in Tenerife offers Subwing services. For more information and videos to get a really good feel of this new experience, check out: www.subwing.com. n

LANZAROTE

Canarian bowling If you’ve ever been lucky enough to have been invited to a large outdoor feast with Canarian friends, the likelihood is that Bola Canaria was one of the preferred post-lunch activities along with dominos, cards and five-a-side football. Similar to boules or pétanque, although using a heavier ball and a larger playing area, Bola Canaria is thought to have been introduced to the Islands by the conquerors over 500 years ago and is still popular to this day. To celebrate this indigenous sport, Lanzarote Council is staging a competition

for over-60s which will take place between November and May. The deadline for signing up is November 11 and you need to contact the senior citizens departments in any of the island’s borough councils to join in. Each team of male or female bowlers should be made up of four to six players. Known as ‘Abuelos Conejeros’, the competition is aimed at maintaining and increasing the popularity of the sport as well as promoting the well-being and social interaction of the senior members of the population. It’s great fun, why not

get a group together and give it a go? n

Sign on at your local Lanzarote council

SPORTS

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049

RUGBY

Why your child should join Ñandú still is in our game. No touchdown dances or athletes taking off their helmets to show their mugs for the cameras.”

Rugby is family Wherever you travel across the world, the rugby community welcomes you with open arms. The players and fans alike are friendly and supportive off the pitch, and the squad class themselves as much more than just team mates. How many team sports in the modern

Ñandú Rugby Club is looking for more players

Ñandú Rugby Club is now embarking on their next adventure, the 2016/2017 season, and as always we are looking for more players to come along and join this momentous sport. So many parents say they don’t want their kids playing rugby because it is ‘dangerous’, ‘a thug’s game’ or ‘not as popular as football’, but when asked if they know anything about the game, most will admit that they don’t know a thing. For those of you who don’t know anything about our historic sport, rugby union is a full-contact, energetic, team game, which is available to boys and girls alike, of all shapes and sizes. A game where a small skinny whippet of a child can easily hold their own when they come up against a big stocky dump truck, both of which are equally as valued, and without whom a team could not exist. The game is made up of two halves of 40 minutes (30/35 minutes in younger matches) on a grass pitch with an H-shaped goal post at each end. Two sides of 15 players try to outscore each other, whilst officiated by a referee and two touch line officials.

Playing for a rugby team can be very rewarding

Obviously, there are many more rules, regulations and etiquette to follow, all of which hold the safety of the players with paramount importance.

Rugby players and fans alike are often friendly and supportive off the pitch

Rugby is fun All we really want for our kids is for them to turn off the TV, games console and telephone, and go outside to run around in the fresh air, enjoy themselves, and be part of something special with their friends and team mates.

Rugby is fair Team play is the only way to succeed in rugby, with all players having the same opportunity to run with and pass the ball, and play both attack and defence. Everyone gets to participate, and the chance to score is always up for grabs.

Rugby is safe Pretty much any physical activity carries an element of danger, of course. From trampolines in the garden, to rollerblading in the park, no sport is without risk. With proper training and supervi-

sion, teaching safe tackling and safe contact, there is no reason that your child is at any more risk than playing football or cricket.

Rugby is respect Respect is imperative in rugby, but is also achieved naturally and without effort. When surrounded by respect it simply breeds more respect, a virtue which sets your child in good standing in all aspects of life. I would use a quote from Tom

Billups (an accomplished American football player who went on to play and coach rugby union): “From a culture standpoint, rugby can improve the American high school football in more ways than a coach can. The mere fact that in rugby you address the referee as ‘sir’ — can you image that in American football? That there isn't this towel-whipping, lookat-me behaviour we see kids emulating. Score a try, and leg it back to halfway to get ready to go again is the way it

world can safely allow the fans from opposing teams to mix together within a National Stadium with no risk of conflict? I recently found myself supporting Samoa against Scotland in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, surrounded by huge bearded Scotsmen in kilts, and apart from a few nudges and expletives each time I cheered for Samoa, there was a great show of sportsmanship. There was a wonderful post circulating social media recently which got a lot of ‘likes’ and

‘shares’ amongst our rugby community. I believe the author is unknown but the words ring true: One of my friends asked: "Why do you pay so much money and spend so much time running around for your son to play rugby?" “Well I have a confession to make; I don't pay for my son's rugby training or his kit, pads, gum shield or boots. Or even his hundreds of rugby balls. I pay for those moments when my boy becomes so tired he feels like quitting but doesn’t. I pay for the opportunity that my boy can have and will have to make life-long friendships. I pay for the chance that he may have amazing coaches that will teach him that rugby is not just about a game but about life. I pay for my child to learn to be disciplined. I pay for my boy to learn to take care of his body. I pay for my son to learn to work with others and to be a proud, supportive, kind and respectful team member. I pay for my child to learn to deal with disappointment, when he doesn't get that try he hoped for, or dropped the ball despite having practiced a thousand times, but still gets up and is determined to do his best the next time. I pay for my boy to learn to make and accomplish goals. I pay so that my son can be on the pitch instead of in front of a screen. I could go on but, to be short, I don't pay for rugby; I pay for the opportunities that rugby provides my child to develop attributes that will serve him well throughout his life. From what I have seen for many years, I think it is a great investment!” If you would like your child to be part of a life changing experience, meet new friends, and get some fresh air and exercise, and join in a game that still thinks respect and humility are good traits, please contact us for further information: 14 years and under– Gotzon: 627 210 401. 15 years and over – Paul: 664 361 058. Email: nandurugbytenerife@ gmail.com. n

27.10.2016 – 9.11.2016

CD TENERIFE

16/10/2016 CD Tenerife 1 Cádiz 1 The blanquiazules missed another great opportunity to claim all three points in the Heliodoro Stadium, but we have said that a few times

NOMADS FC

Veterans We have many veteran footballers coming to Tenerife on the weekend of November 18 to 20, 2016. Teams will fly in from the UK, and we also have an all-star team that includes former players from Celtic, Rangers and other top clubs. Some of the teams have asked for a few extra players, so if any over-40 footballers would like to participate in the slow motion tournament held in Adeje, please get in touch.

left two natural defenders on the park. With nothing to lose, Cádiz went for broke in the last few minutes and after a goalkeeping slip by the normallyreliable Dani Hernández they equalised on 91 minutes. It was a cruel blow for Tenerife but then again, they really should have put this game to bed a lot earlier.

in the impressive Carlos Tartiere Stadium, the blanquiazules matched the home side ball for ball, but in the parts of the pitch that really matter, the penalty areas, they failed to show enough class to hurt the opposition. With captain Carlos Ruiz sidelined due to injury, and the exciting striker Cristo out with tonsillitis, Tenerife were far from full strength. Real Oviedo took the lead on 31 minutes through Linares and they never looked back. The second half proved to be a carbon copy of the first, with Tenerife huffing and puffing and enjoying the odd half chance. The inevitable happened in the last minute; as the blanquiazules pushed for the equaliser they left space at the back and Linares scored his second to seal the victory. The fixtures do not get any easier and CD Tenerife face on-form Rayo Vallecano next. Manager Pep Martí may well be playing for his future in charge of the team, as Tenerife have slipped into the relegation zone. However, with the league so tight, a win could lift the blanquiazules back into the comfort zone. n

Photos: Chris Todd

Through thin and thinner, the fans will stick behind the team Supporters hope that things will change soon

already this season! And even with everything in their favour they simply have forgotten how to win, it appears. The early stages of the match proved to be a nervy encounter, a reflection on both teams’ precarious league positions. If anything, the visitors were taking the initiative, cheered on by 200 yellow clad supporters amongst the 8,425 spectators. It is a rarity to see an away following in Santa Cruz but the likes of Cádiz and Rayo Vallecano always travel in numbers. The game was turned on its head on 41 minutes when a rash tackle on Carlos Ruiz by

the Cádiz forward, and ex-Las Palmas player, Alfredo Ortuño resulted in a direct red card. Most expected the second half to be a case of one-way traffic bearing down on the 10-men Cádiz outfit but the obvious problem that the blanquiazules have with creating chances and scoring was clear to see. We needed a spark, something different, and on came youngster Cristo González. Within minutes, a skilfully whipped-in cross was met by the head of Jouini and Tenerife were 1-0 to the good. It was a great goal to liven what had been an average match, but all we were inter-

ested in was the three points. However, the Tenerife defence was in tatters. Centre-half Carlos Ruiz was taken off after fracturing a cheekbone and with all substitutions used (all attacking players) it only

23/10/2016 Real Oviedo 2 CD Tenerife 0 When you are finding it difficult to score and your rivals seem to score against you with relative ease, you know that you are in trouble. Against Real Oviedo

All-star tournament and play friendly games. So if you want your kids to have fun with football in any of our teams then please get in

touch regarding our training schedule. For more information please look at the club website: www.nomadsfc.com.

New players Our new youth Nomads foot-

New girls’ team We are hoping to get enough young girls between the age of eight to 13 years that want to play football so that we can make a team for them to train

Manager Martí on borrowed time

By Chris Todd So where do we go from here? Stick or twist with manager Pep Martí? His 11 points won from the first 11 matches is only slightly better than last season’s boss Raul Agne, who was sacked after winning just 10 points from the first 11 games. I say we give Martí more time, it was not his fault that the team was thrown into turmoil just one hour before the first home game of the season, with the sale of top striker Nano. The sale itself may not be a massive error (the €3.5 million transfer fee is a godsend to a club like CD Tenerife) but it was just the timing and having no ‘Plan B’. The next three out of four matches are at home, so let’s get behind the team and see where we are at the end of November.

FOOTBALL

ISLAND CONNECTIONS 782

ball club provides good fun, quality coaching, and healthy exercise for your children. We are proud to have so many kids from lots of different countries. Most of our training is provided in English with some Spanish. Our training facility is in Los Cristianos, South Tenerife. Our existing Under 8s, Under 10s, Under 12s and Under 14s teams have players from the UK, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Russia and many other places around the world, and we need a few additional players for the teams.

Special note

Former players from La Liga, English Premier League and the Scottish Premier League featured at last year’s Veterans Tournament

Our new Under 8s and Under 16s teams urgently need a few players for as soon as possible. The Under 8s team is still

Sponsored by: Foreign Language News & www.windowsplus.co.uk looking for two players born in 2009. Also, as some of our kids from the Under 14s team last year are moving up, so we need some players born in 2001 and 2002 to make a new under 16s team. If any kids are looking for a club to play for, then please get in touch.

Contact Nomads FC For more information visit: www.nomadsfc.com. Alternatively, email: info@premfs. com. Call/message: +34 654 200 470 or 650 090 737. Also visit our general website: www.premfs.com. n

PROMOTION

FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 049